The WOAH Sub-Regional Representation for the Arabian Gulf (SRRAG) successfully convened a webinar on “Animal Welfare Risk Assessment During Transport” as part of its 2026 Awareness and Capacity Strengthening Program. Opening the session, Dr Asma Abdi, WOAH Sub-Regional Representative for the Arabian Gulf, highlighted the strong collaboration between WOAH and the International Coalition for Animal Welfare (ICFAW) in advancing regional knowledge-sharing initiatives that support animal welfare and veterinary public health.
The webinar featured expert presentations focused on strengthening animal welfare practices during transport through evidence-based risk assessment approaches. Ms Helena Bauer, Project Manager at Animals’ Angels, emphasised the importance of standardised risk assessment systems in supporting sustainable animal welfare practices and informing effective regulatory frameworks. She highlighted livestock transport as a key indicator of responsible and sustainable production systems.
Participants also explored the links between animal transport, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the One Health approach. Carolina Cardoso Nagib Nascimento, Technical Specialist at ICFAW, presented on how this journey-related stress can increase animal health challenges and contribute to the use of antimicrobial treatments, underscoring the importance of robust transport biosecurity measures to safeguard animal and public health.
Concluding the webinar, Dr Asma Abdi encouraged continued regional dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the documentation of successful practices to support the ongoing improvement of veterinary services and animal welfare standards across the Arabian Gulf region.
