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New Diplomatic Agreement Recognises WOAH Sub-Regional Representation for the Arabian Gulf

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The Agreement establishes the diplomatic status of the Sub-Regional Office based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the 13th local representation of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

On 12 June 2023, WOAH and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates (MOFA) signed a diplomatic Agreement formally granting the Abu Dhabi office, the privileges, immunities, financial and in-kind contributions necessary for its operation.   

“This Agreement marks a new step forward, after several years of close cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) of UAE and the fruitful work done with the kind support of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Agency (ADAFSA). I look forward to a continued collaboration between WOAH and the UAE and to a strengthened animal health network within the Gulf region”, said Dr Monique Eloit, WOAH Director General, after signing the Agreement with Sultan Mohamed Alshamsi, Assistant Minister for International Development and Organizations Affairs at MOFAIC.  

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From left to right: H.E Rashid Almansoori, Executive Director for Animal Wealth, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, H.E Dr Mariam Alsuwaidi, Deputy Director General for Operational Affairs, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Dr Monique Eloit, Director General, WOAH, H.E Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Organisations Affairs, H.E Saeed Al Ameri, Director General of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, H.E Eng Mohammed Alameeri, Assistant Undersecretary of the Food Diversity Sector at Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dr Mohamed Alhosani, Sub-Regional Representative for Arabian Gulf, WOAH, Mr Rodney de Souza, Head of the Legal Affairs Unit, WOAH

Currently headed by Dr Mohamed Alhosani, the Sub-Regional Office was inaugurated in November 2019 and covers the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates) and Yemen. It operates in close liaison with WOAH Regional Representation for the Middle East located in Beirut, Lebanon. 

The Abu Dhabi Office is already implementing its work programme, which aims to support the Veterinary Services in the sub-region and to respond more effectively to challenges pertaining to the control of transboundary animal diseases, including zoonoses, and animal welfare, particularly in the commercial context, considering the specific location of the Gulf countries, at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe.  

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