World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Commission for Asia and Pacific
Context:
India is set to host the 33rd Conference of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific in New Delhi from November 13 to 16, 2023.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
Main Highlights:
- This conference is organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
- The WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific comprises 36 member countries, including India.
- Delegates from member countries, as well as representatives from regional and international organizations, and the private sector and veterinary organizations in the region, will participate.
Significance of the Conference:
- The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the critical role of scientific expertise in assessing risks at the human-animal-environment interface.
- The pandemic highlights the need to enhance resilience and capacity in Veterinary Services for future challenges.
- Conferences like the WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific play a crucial role in fostering closer contact, active dialogue, and meaningful debates among delegates, invited experts, and key regional partners.
- They facilitate valuable discussions and build essential networking relationships to address vulnerabilities and prepare for potential pandemics.
About the WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific:
- The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has established five Regional Commissions to address specific challenges faced by its Members in different regions of the world.
- These Commissions function as full-fledged regional institutional bodies.
- The Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific organizes a Conference every two years in one of the countries in the region.
- These conferences aim to develop technical items and foster regional cooperation for the control of animal diseases. They also consider regional programs to strengthen major disease surveillance and control.
- The Regional Commissions report on their activities and submit recommendations to the World Assembly of Delegates.
