Dr. Bernard Vallat, OIE Director General and Prof. Ahmed El-Sawalhy, AU-IBAR Director, on Thursday signed a renewed cooperation agreement between OIE and AU-IBAR, which replaces the first agreement signed between the then Office International des Epizooties and the then Organisation of African Unity (now African Union) in 2001, i.e. 14 years ago.
Dr. Bernard Vallat (left), Director General of the OIE and Prof. Ahmed El-Sawalhy (right), Director of the African Union Inter-african Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), after the signing of a renewed cooperation agreement between OIE and AU-IBAR. Picture © D. Mordzinski (oie) 2015
The agreement defines synergies between the animal health and welfare agendas of OIE at international level and AU-IBAR at continental level, in the areas of knowledge, data and information management and dissemination; legislation, standard setting, standard implementation, and trade; the veterinary profession and veterinary education; the strengthening of veterinary services; animal production and farming practices / animal welfare; as well as improved advocacy and policy guidance.
Negotiations are underway with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the East African Community (EAC) for similar Cooperation Agreements
Dr. Bernard Vallat (front-left), Director General of the OIE and Prof. Ahmed El-Sawalhy (front-right), Director of the African Union Inter-african Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), after the signing of a renewed cooperation agreement between OIE and AU-IBAR. Picture (c) D. Mordzinski (oie) 2015.