Thanks to the kind offer of the government of Saudi Arabia during the 89th General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the World Organisation for Animal Health to welcome the Regional Commission in Saudi Arabia, it will be my pleasure to welcome you at the 17th Conference of the Regional Commission for the Middle East that will be held from 1 to 5 October 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This will be the first face-to-face Conference of the Regional Commission for the Middle East since November 2019. Thus, we are very enthusiastic about meeting you all in person to reiterate our commitment in ensuring animal health and welfare worldwide as well as continuing to play a key role in global health governance.
The challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the need for more scientific expertise in particular for assessing risks at the animal/human/environment interface, the need for building resilience and capacity in the Veterinary Services to be well prepared to respond to potential future challenges as well as, the need to strengthen existing agreements or establish new ones with key partners to be able to work actively and in coordination for the common good. For this purpose, face-to-face Regional Conferences facilitate closer contact and more active dialog between Delegates in the Region, the invited experts and with key regional partners along with key WOAH staff who lead the Organisation`s flagship programmes and initiatives. It will be a week to facilitate meaningful debates and networking relationships.
Participation of WOAH Members in the Conferences of the Regional Commissions is therefore very important allowing them to be part of the discussions on topics of regional interest to ensure that all regional inputs are taken into account so that WOAH can provide the most appropriate support to its Members.
As the Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health, I will be honoured to welcome and to accompany all participants during such an important event for the Region.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Riyadh!
Dr Monique Eloit
Director General
