News - World Veterinary Association

28 Sep 2026

A Joint Call from Physicians and Veterinarians: Strengthen Every Link to End Rabies

Marking World Rabies Day 2026, the World Medical Association (WMA) and the World Veterinary Association (WVA) are jointly calling on governments, health and veterinary services, and communities to strengthen every link in the chain that keeps rabies under control. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, yet it is entirely preventable. The tools to end these deaths already exist: safe and effective vaccines for both animals and people, proven post-exposure treatment, and a shared global goal, "Zero by 30", to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. Zero deaths is not an ambition but an achievable outcome if we strengthen every link in the chain.

22 Sep 2026

WVA at the UNGA 2026 – Our priorities on Pandemic Prevention implementation

The 2026 UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response comes at an important point in the global pandemic agenda. With the proposed Political Declaration, attention needs to turn to what its commitments mean in practice. The suggested text recognises the One Health approach, the need to address the root causes and drivers of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including zoonotic diseases, and the importance of coordinated multisectoral surveillance, laboratory capacity, risk assessment and early action. The priority now is to translate these commitments into implementation. For the World Veterinary Association and Action for Animal Health, this means acting before a pathogen becomes a human health emergency and investing in the systems, capacities and people able to identify and reduce risks at source.

18 Sep 2026

XXV Costa Rican Veterinary Medicine Congress: Join the Veterinary Community in Costa Rica

The College of Veterinary Professionals of Costa Rica is pleased to invite all veterinarians and students from across the globe to the XXV Costa Rican Veterinary Medicine Congress, taking place on 5–6 November 2026 at the Radisson Hotel in San José, Costa Rica. This major professional gathering will bring together colleagues from Costa Rica and abroad for two days of scientific exchange, continuing education, and professional networking.

15 Sep 2026

WVA/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship 2026: 40 Scholarships for 5000 USD available

WVA and MSD Animal Health are delighted to announce the 2026 Veterinary Student Scholarship Program, continuing their successful collaboration to support the next generation of veterinary professionals. In 2026, 40 veterinary students will each receive a scholarship of US$5,000, representing a total investment of US$200,000 to help improve their academic experience and support their veterinary education. The scholarships are available to eligible students from countries across four regions:

25 Aug 2026

WVA welcomes two new Members: VAI, from India, and the World Buiatrics Association

The World Veterinary Association (WVA) is pleased to welcome two new members to its growing international community: the Veterinary Association of India (VAI) and the World Buiatrics Association (WBA). The addition of these two organisations further strengthens the WVA’s global network and reflects the continued commitment of veterinary organisations around the world to advancing animal health, animal welfare, public health, and the veterinary profession.

13 Jul 2026

FVE General Assembly highlights preparedness, vet-shortage and working conditions

At the June General Assembly of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), held in Finnish Lapland, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) was represented by its two European Councillors. Discussions included demographic trends within the profession, supported by preliminary findings from the 4th FVE VetSurvey, the growing role of corporate ownership of veterinary clinics and practices, and the ongoing challenge of shortages of veterinary medicines across Europe. Delegates highlighted the importance of ensuring reliable access to essential veterinary medicines while promoting responsible medicines stewardship.

12 Jul 2026

WVA Immediate Past President Dr. John de Jong receives the 2026 AVMA Award

Join us in congratulating Immediate Past President Dr. John de Jong on receiving the 2026 AVMA Award, one of the American Veterinary Medical Association's highest honors recognising distinguished service and outstanding leadership in advancing the veterinary profession.

10 Jul 2026

WVA co-created Essential Veterinary Medicines List receives inaugural RCVS Collaboration Award

The World Veterinary Association (WVA) is proud to celebrate the recognition of the Essential Veterinary Medicines List (EVML) for Food-Producing Animals, which has received the inaugural Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Collaboration Award. The EVML was co-created by the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and Brooke to improve access to essential veterinary medicines worldwide.

30 Jun 2026

WOAH updates priority disease lists to advance vaccination and reduce antimicrobial use in animals

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has published the first report of its Ad Hoc Group on the Prioritisation of Diseases for which Vaccines Could Reduce Global Antimicrobial Use in Animals (PROEVA), identifying key diseases where improved vaccination strategies could have the greatest impact on reducing antimicrobial use (AMU) worldwide.

25 Jun 2026

WVA launches global survey on One Health and Planetary Health education

the future of health depends on strong collaboration across human, animal, environmental, and planetary health systems. Despite increasing recognition of One Health and Planetary Health principles worldwide, there has been lacking measurable evidence of how effectively these concepts are integrated into education and professional training across disciplines and countries. To address this critical gap, the World Veterinary Association and collaborating partners are launching a rapid, multilingual global survey to better understand how One Health and Planetary Health are being taught, understood, and applied in practice.