Source: WOAH
Ministers and senior government officials from around the world issued a landmark declaration at the 93rd General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health, calling for urgent global investment in animal health systems amid rising pandemic threats, climate pressures, and food security concerns. The declaration follows WOAH’s latest State of the World’s Animal Health report, which warns that animal health receives as little as 0.6% of global health spending despite growing disease risks.
Seventeen ministers emphasized that animal health and welfare are essential to food and nutrition security, economic stability, trade, poverty reduction, and pandemic prevention. The statement highlighted the importance of strengthening Veterinary services, disease prevention programs, and animal vaccination efforts under the One Health framework. Ministers warned that underfunded animal health systems face increasing pressure while lacking adequate resources to respond effectively to animal disease outbreaks and zoonotic threats, potentially weakening global public health, food systems, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability.