WOAH Regional Workshop on Public-Private Partnerships in the veterinary domain for strengthening Veterinary Services in Manama, Bahrain

The regional workshop on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the veterinary domain that took place in Manama, Bahrain, was a collaborative effort between the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Sub-Regional Representation for the Arabian Gulf and the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Bahrain. This workshop aimed to bring together various countries in the Arabian Gulf region to discuss and explore the potential of PPPs for strengthening veterinary services.

Thirteen countries participated in the workshop, showcasing a strong interest and commitment to improving veterinary services through PPPs. These countries included Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Lebanon, Somalia, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Oman, and Qatar. The diverse participation highlighted a shared dedication to addressing common challenges and opportunities in animal health and promoting collaboration across borders.

The workshop recognised the value PPPs can bring to the public and private sectors. By leveraging the strengths of both sectors, PPPs can enhance efficiency in the public sector and create sustainable business opportunities for the private sector. Despite the proven benefits of PPPs in the veterinary domain, they are often underutilised. To address this, WOAH is actively involved in supporting countries in the implementation of PPPs.

WOAH has taken steps to facilitate the adoption of PPPs in veterinary services by providing guidelines, online courses, and an open-access database on PPPs. These resources are designed to assist member countries in various aspects of PPP collaboration, including exploration, planning, execution, and monitoring. By offering these tools, WOAH aims to contribute to improving veterinary services across the region.

In summary, the regional workshop on PPPs in the veterinary domain in Manama, Bahrain, brought together multiple countries in the Arabian Gulf region to discuss and promote the use of PPPs for enhancing veterinary services. The event showcased the commitment of participating nations and the potential for cross-border cooperation to address common challenges in animal health. WOAH’s efforts in providing guidelines, online courses, and a PPP database demonstrate its dedication to supporting member countries in implementing successful PPP collaborations for improved veterinary services.