1. World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Commission for Asia and Pacific

Syllabus: GS-2, International Relations; GS-3, Disaster Management

Prelims: WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and Pacific

Mains: regional involving India and/or affecting India’s interests, Disaster Management

Context: India is hosting the 33rd Conference of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific from November 13 to 16, 2023 at New Delhi.

Details:

• This conference is being hosted by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
• The WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and Pacific has 36 member countries including India. 
• The conference will host delegates from its member countries, regional and international organizations and representatives from the private sector and private veterinary organizations in the region.

Significance of the Conference:

• The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic emphasize the crucial role of scientific expertise in assessing risks at the human-animal-environment interface.
• COVID-19 pandemic also underscored the necessity to enhance resilience and capacity in Veterinary Services for future challenges.
• Hence, to avoid vulnerabilities of potential pandemics, Conferences like WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and Pacific will facilitate closer contact, active dialogue, and meaningful debates among delegates, invited experts and key regional partners and will foster valuable discussions and build essential networking relationships.

About the WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and Pacific:

• The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has set up five Regional Commissions to express specific problems facing its Members in the different regions of the world. These Commissions can be seen as full-fledged regional institutional bodies.
• The Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific organizes a Conference once every two years in one of the countries of the region.
• These conferences aim to develop technical items and foster regional cooperation for the control of animal diseases. Regional programmes are also considered to reinforce major disease surveillance and control.
• The Regional Commissions report on their activities and submit recommendations to the World Assembly of Delegates.

Read the previous PIB articles here.