19th Conference of the Regional Commission (Kigali)

19th Conference of the OIE Regional Commission for Africa in Kigali breaks record attendance.

The 19th Conference of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Regional Commission for Africa was held in Kigali (Rwanda) from 14 to 18 February 2011. The Conference was chaired by Mrs Agnes Mathilda Kalibata, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal resources, Dr Theogene Rutagwenda, Delegate of Rwanda to the OIE and Dr Berhe Gebreegziabher, President of the OIE Regional Commission for Africa.

Bernard Vallat, Director General of the OIE, senior Ministry officials, the Delegates of 40 Member Countries of the OIE Regional Commission for Africa, representatives of international and regional organisations and numerous observers also participated in the Conference.

“Investments in animal health must be seen as a priority in view of their impact in reducing poverty, giving animal products better access to regional and international markets and safeguarding public health, for the benefit of the people of Africa and the international community at large”, declared Dr. Vallat during the Conference.

Two technical items of major importance were presented at the Conference :

Livestock census in Africa as a vital tool for livestock disease surveillance and control
Main pathologies of camels, breeding of camels, constraints, benefits and perspectives

Discussions also dealt with the animal health situation throughout the region and the major investments that are still needed if Africa is to continue to progress with the control of animal diseases.

Participants were given an overview of activities under the GF-TADs (Global Framework for the progressive control of Transboundary Animal Diseases) worldwide programme developed jointly by the OIE and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and an overview of collaboration between the OIE and the African Union – Inter-african Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).