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08 Feb 2023

Botswana will  host the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)’s 25^th Africa Regional Commission conference from February 20 to 24.

The conference, which is expected to be officially opened by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi will bring together animal health experts from all over the world. The conference will be held at Gaborone International Convention Centre.

Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao told the media during a briefing in Gaborone Tuesday that by hosting the conference, the country was sending a clear political signal of its commitment to participating in the international effort to safeguard the health of animals in order to protect the health of the people and their livelihood.

“Hosting of the conference also presents opportunity for the country’s animal health experts to establish connections and collaboration with international experts,” Mr Molao said.

He said the event was also an opportunity for Botswana to share her expectations in the livestock sector, especially beef production and control of animal diseases.

Further, Mr Molao said it presented a prime opportunity for national institutions such as Botswana Meat Commission, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources as well as National Agricultural Research and Development Institute and Botswana Vaccine Institute to showcase their products and services to the world.

 He said it would be a perfect opportunity for Botswana Vaccine Institute, which was the country’s flagship manufacturer of animal vaccine to expand its footprint to new territories.

Apart from agricultural industry, Mr Molao said the WOAH conference had positive impact on the wider economy, including promotion of tourism and raising international awareness of the country’s favourable policies and investment opportunities.

The WOAH sub-regional representative for Southern Africa, Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo said it was up to the country to explore opportunities that came with the conference, adding that the event would be attended by influential industry experts.

In addition, he said WOAH appreciated Botswana for having raised its hand to host the event, which would be held for the first time in the country.

WOAH, founded as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) is an inter-governmental organisation that set standards for animal health, animal welfare and veterinary public health for member states, of which Botswana is a member.

The standards enable member states to protect the health of their animals and people, and members can also use the standards to facilitate trade with other countries. ends