Kigali, 14 May 2013 In the course of a two-day visit to Rwanda, the OIE Sub-Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, Dr Walter Masiga, was received by the Rwandan Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MAAR), the Hon. Agnès Mathilda Kalibata. Present were also Dr. Theogen Rutagwenda, OIE Delegate for Rwanda and Vice-President of the OIE Regional Commission for Africa and Dr. Patrick Bastiaensen, OIE Programme Officer.
Dr Walter Masiga (left) and the Hon. H.E. Agnès Mathilda Kalibata (right). Picture © MAAR (2013)
Dr Masiga presented the current state of affairs with regard to the PVS Pathway in Rwanda and highlighted some of the ongoing programmes of the OIE in the sub-region, including the twinning programme for laboratories. Dr Masiga also discussed the bid of Rwanda to host the third global Conference of Foot-an-Mouth Disease in 2015
To conclude, he enquired whether the Hon. Minister would be willing to attend the 2014 OIE General Session in Paris, an offer gratefully acknowledged by the Hon. Minister, who was host to the very successful 2011 Conference of the Regional Commission for Africa, held in Kigali.
The mission further met with the staff of the Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB), the new government body hosting the Veterinary Services of Rwanda, along with the various OIE Focal Points and senior officials, as well as with the Chairman of the Rwanda Veterinary Association.
