Samarkand hosts the 31st Conference of the WOAH Regional Commission for Europe.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) is the global authority on animal health. It ensures the health of animals and their environments worldwide, recognizing that animal health is fundamentally connected with our health.

Since 1924, WOAH has focused on the complexities of animal health. It disseminates information on animal diseases and uses science-based strategies to limit their potentially negative impact on society. It monitors the emergence and development of animal diseases, whether they affect livestock, aquatic animals, or wildlife, to address them before they threaten public health. WOAH partners with leading organizations like FAO, WHO, and UNEP on global health initiatives. Its 182 Members know that adhering to animal health and welfare standards is essential to ensuring safe trade, public health, and economic growth within and beyond their borders.

The Republic of Uzbekistan joined the organization in 1992, and responsible persons in the veterinary sphere of the country take part in the events of the annual General Session of the WOAH.

The WOAH Regional Commission for Europe conferences are held every two years in one of the organization’s member countries.

This year, Uzbekistan has been chosen to host the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the World Organisation for Animal Health and the 31st Conference of the WOAH Regional Commission for Europe.

The heads of the WOAH and European regional offices, state representatives, international experts, and persons responsible for animal husbandry and veterinary medicine in the country are attending the International Conference.

At the event’s opening ceremony, Chairman of the State Veterinary Committee Bakhrom Norkobilov read the address of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the participants of the 31st Conference of the WOAH Regional Commission for Europe.

It was noted that the threats of climate change, water shortages, and global food security have increased worldwide. In this regard, serious measures must be taken to combat the threats using advanced knowledge, innovation, and rational resource use. This conference is significant in its focus on achieving these goals. The importance of uniting the actions of all countries in promoting new positive results in this area was noted.

At the conference's opening ceremony, the Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran, was awarded the badge “Devotee of veterinary medicine of the Republic of Uzbekistan”. 

During the five-day conference, it is planned to develop a regional position based on new standards and regulations, which will be proposed for adoption at the General Assemblies of the WOAH, meetings with international donor organizations with the participation of WOAH representatives in connection with receiving technical assistance in coordinating the veterinary control system of Uzbekistan with the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the World Trade Organization, negotiations on the implementation of new projects in veterinary education, disease control, food safety and improving the competence of laboratories. It is also planned to exchange views on the issues of establishing the export of livestock products from Uzbekistan to the countries of the European Union and the implementation of grant and preferential loan projects between Uzbekistan and international financial organizations with the participation of the WOAH.

Within the conference, the Chairman of the State Veterinary Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bakhrom Norkobilov, met with the Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran. 

[gallery-19542]

G. Khasanov, photos by A. Isroilov, UzA