A GLOBAL VISION FOR THE VETERINARY PROFESSION
The World Veterinary Association (WVA) brings together veterinarians from all over the world. This plan explains the WVA’s five-year strategic plan including its mission, vision, core values, and five year strategic goals the WVA is committed to in support of the veterinarian profession, animal health, and the planet. The strategy was developed through consultations with WVA member associations, Working Groups, WVA partners, and members of the animal health community and represents a cohesive global vision for the WVA’s role.
A bit of history
The WVA was established out of the first international veterinary congress convened by Dr. J Gamgee in Hamburg in 1863. Since that time the WVA has grown to represent over 500,000 veterinarians from over 90 member associations. The WVA continues to build on Dr. Gamgee’s ambition to unite veterinarians from around the world to share experiences, exchange ideas, to unify for the advancement of the veterinary profession. The WVA defends the interest of its member organizations and their general body members and holds the need for international consonance in veterinary medicine to be self-evident. Disease control and prevention, food safety and security, animal welfare, the availability of medicinal products, and the ecological impact of human and animal health systems, are all issues that necessitate a global approach. Through promotion and practice of the One Health concept, the WVA strives to protect the health and welfare of humans, animals, and the environment. The WVA partners with relevant organizations and authorities to offer advocacy, support, and education on global veterinary issues.
What is the WVA
The WVA is an association of associations, engaging with the veterinary community through veterinary associations representing countries, regions, and specialties within the profession. Along with Constituent Members WVA also has Observers and Honorary members including veterinary technician associations and individuals who participate in WVA activities and provide comments but are not voting members.
WVA is governed through the General Assembly (GA) of member associations, the WVA Council, and the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee includes the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Chair of the Finance Committee, Chair of the
Policy Committee, and the Executive Secretary of the WVA. The Executive Committee acts on behalf of the council between meetings for timely matters to ensure the work of WVA continues to advance. The WVA aims to lead the global veterinary profession and engage with
members through its four priority areas of work: Animal Welfare, Medicines Stewardship, One Health, and Veterinary Profession and Education. WVA maintains Working Groups in each of these areas which are populated by Councillors and ad hoc member experts from WVA Constituent Members.
WVA is responsible for notable global veterinary efforts such as World Veterinary Day, the World Veterinary Association Congress, veterinary webinars, and position statements to advance the profession of veterinary medicine.
From 2025-2030 the WVA aspires to strengthen and deliver value to its members while maintaining a leading role in advocating and advancing the veterinary profession globally. Each of the five-year strategic goals are underpinned by one-to-two-year actions which will be reviewed annually by the Council and updated to ensure progress toward the five-year strategic goals (see annex 1).
The GA is comprised of Constituent Member delegates, which meets regularly to discuss activities of the WVA and opportunities for WVA to
represent the global veterinary profession. The WVA Council is the executive body of the WVA and is made up of the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past-President, and fourteen Councillors elected to represent regions and international organizations.
There are two Councillors from each of the WVA’s six regions (Africa, Asia and Oceania, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa,
and North America), one Councillor elected to represent international discipline/activity centered organizations, and one Councillor representing international, regional organizations. The Council meets regularly to advance the strategic goals of the WVA through Working Groups and Committees.
Vision
The World Veterinary Association is recognized and respected by its members and partners as the trusted and influential voice of global veterinary medicine.
Mission
To lead the veterinary profession globally through collaboration, promotion, partnership, and advocacy for animal health and welfare, one health, and veterinary education.