Communication with Stakeholders

Communication with stakeholders

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) develops communication programmes to provide governments, the agri-food sector, veterinarians and other professionals, including farmers, with accurate, accessible and up-to-date information on animal welfare. It also works with governments, international and regional organisations and the private sector to promote its animal welfare standards and makes information available to the general public to raise awareness and promote progress on animal welfare issues.

Animal Welfare Global Conferences

These conferences provided an opportunity for WOAH national Delegates and Focal Points, and representatives from international organisations, the private sector, NGOs and civil society to work alongside the WOAH to improve animal welfare worldwide. The recommendations of these conferences are also presented to the World Assembly of Delegates at the WOAH’s annual General Session, paving the way for the development of new standards.

First global conference – Paris (France) in 2004: Adoption of four standards on the transport and slaughter of animals
Link to the proceedings.

Second global conference  Cairo (Egypt) in 2008: Support Members in the implementation of animal welfare standards through the use of tools and technical support.
Link to the recommendations & presentations and the proceedings.

Third global conference –  Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in 2012: Regional issues in the implementation of WOAH animal welfare standards
Link to the recommendations & presentations

Fourth global conference – Guadalajara (Mexico) in 2016: made possible to deliver the WOAH’s recommendations to adopt and implement the Global Animal Welfare Strategy.
Link to the recommendations and presentations.

Animal Welfare Global Forum

At the 85th General Session in 2017, following on from the decision to adopt the Animal Welfare Global Strategy, it was agreed that an Animal Welfare Global Forum would be established to continue the work previously started by the Working Group. This Forum aims to foster dialogue between countries and relevant international stakeholders on challenging animal welfare topics, on difficulties implementing animal welfare standards and on priority issues for the WOAH work programme on animal welfare.

The first Global Forum was held in March 2018 (in Paris, France) on the topic of: ‘Supporting the implementation of WOAH standards.

The second Global Forum was held in April 2019 (in Paris, France) with a theme on ‘Animal transport: a shared responsibility’. Find out more about the forum.

The third Global Forum was held in April 2021 (virtually) on the link between the achievement on the UN SDGs and the improvement of animal welfare. Find out more about the third Global Forum.

The fourth Global Forum was held in October 2022 (virtually) to discuss the importance of considering economics when developing and implementing animal welfare policies. Find out more.

The fifth Global Forum was held in November 2023 (in Paris, France) to discuss,  bring knowledge, shared experience and support for the development of national animal legislation.

Awareness-raising campaigns

Awareness-raising campaign to help control stray dog populations

Since 2016, the WOAH has been providing support to Members to run communication campaigns to handle the increase in the number of stray dogs. The objective of such campaigns is to significantly reduce the number of dogs abandoned in the streets by encouraging children and adults who currently own dogs, or who may own them in the future, to take responsibility for their animals.

This campaign initially targeted Balkan countries, where difficulties in controlling stray dog populations cause significant problems for human health and for the health and welfare of animals. Several countries in Europe and Western Eurasia have also expressed interest in this campaign, which is currently being adapted for use in French overseas territories.