News - World Veterinary Association

28 Feb 2024

WVA Animal Welfare Working Group publishes two Position Statements

The Working Group on Animal Welfare has released two Position Statements: ‘Protection of Animals During Disasters and Armed Conflict‘ and ‘Control of Inappropriately Aggressive Dogs‘. The first statement points out the urgent need for national preparedness plans and coordinated international veterinary relief towards animals, the second calls for education, owner responsability and legislation. Our position statement are the result of an extensive analysis and revision process by the WVA Working Groups and Council, following recommendations from our members.

25 Feb 2024

WVA’s President Elect John de Jong attended the Mexican Veterinary National Convention

WVA’s President Elect John de Jong took part in the Mexican Veterinary National Convention organized by our member association FedMVZ, from the 5th to the 7th of February. The 2024 Convention gathered 1700 participants, among leaders of the profession, law makers, veterinarians, zootechnicians, and students. Besides educational sessions for multiple specialities, FedMVZ showed the results of consistent and tireless efforts, across 13 years, to implement animal welfare standards through legislation.

24 Feb 2024

Meeting with Professor Peter C. Doherty, Nobel Prize laureate

Rafael Laguens, WVA president, and Professor Peter C. Doherty, the only veterinarian to have received the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology, met on February 23 at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne. The meeting was organized by Vets for Climate Action (VfCA), Professor Doherty being patron of this institution. Dr Jeannet Kessels, founder and chair of VfCA, and Steff Goldring, VfCA's CEO, also participated in the meeting.

19 Feb 2024

Dr Shane Renwick, part of CVMA staff, is the winner of Medicine Stewardship category of the WVA Global Veterinary Awards

The World Veterinary Association (WVA) and Ceva Santé Animale (Ceva) are pleased to announce the winner of the Medicine Stewardship category in the forthcoming WVA Global Veterinary Awards, as Dr. Shane Renwick, based in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Renwick was nominated by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) for his active role in the field of antimicrobial stewardship, as well as other issues of national importance, including One Health and the role of the Canadian Veterinary Profession in addressing the challenges of Climate Change.

13 Feb 2024

WVA’s Factsheet on Working Equids now updated

There are over 116 million working equids and they support over 600 million people worldwide. Despite the development of global standards, many working equids still experience poor welfare. Learn more about what are the concerns, what has improved in the last years and how you can help!

12 Feb 2024

Dr Simon Doherty is the winner of the One Health category of the WVA Global Veterinary Awards

The World Veterinary Association (WVA) and Ceva Santé Animale (Ceva) are pleased to announce the winner of the One Health category of the WVA Global Veterinary Awards, Dr. Simon Doherty, based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Dr. Doherty was nominated and supported by three WVA members: the British Veterinary Association nominated Dr Doherty with the support of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK) and of the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association for his outstanding contributions to One Health.

6 Feb 2024

XXIV VETERINARY MEDICINE CONGRESS COSTA RICA 2024CVMA Convention: Save the Date – June 26 to 30

The Costa Rican Veterinary Medical 'Colegio' is happy to invite the extended Spanish community of veterinarians to attend the XXIV VETERINARY MEDICINE CONGRESS COSTA RICA 2024 and the XX FIAVAC CONGRESS, which will take place in the city of San Jose, Costa Rica, on November 14 and 15, 2024.

The KVMA’s commitment to innovation in animal health

The Korean Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) and the Global Digital Innovation Network (GDIN) signed a pioneering memorandum of understanding on January 25th. The agreement, endorsed by Dr. Hur Juhyung, KVMA President, and Mr. JongKap Kim, GDIN CEO, incorporates a shared commitment to advance innovation in the animal healthcare industry.

2 Feb 2024

6th International Congress of Large Animal Practitioners in Iran

On 24-25 December 2023, the 6th International Congress of Large Animal Practitioners took place in Tehran, Iran, and had 400 attendees. The congress was held in partnership with the Iranian Association of Veterinarians and covered all aspects of bovine and equine practice and medicine.

31 Jan 2024

New WVA Position Statement on One Health

The WVA advocates and supports the advancement of One Health (OH). The health and well-being of people, animals, plants, and their interconnected ecosystems depend on strategic, effective and sustainable collaborative partnerships among professions, disciplines and societies.

Africa Animal Welfare Conference – Action 2024

The 8th Africa Animal Welfare Conference took place in person and online from the 30th of September to the 2nd of October, gathering professionals to discuss the role of animals in Africa's sustainable development, aiming to promote policy development that advances animal welfare alongside broader environmental and economic goals. It was held at United Nations Complex, in Nairobi, Kenya, co-hosted by the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), UNEP and AU-IBAR. Key topics included engagement with UNEP and UNEA processes, emphasising the roles of major stakeholders in shaping these discussions. Opening remarks from UNEP, AU-IBAR, WOAH, WHO, and World Animal Protection highlighted animal welfare as essential for transforming agricultural practices linked to environmental sustainability and food security. A significant theme was the connection between animal welfare and controlling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with Dr. Abdela from WHO noting that better welfare practices can enhance public health outcomes.

8th World One Health Congress

Cape Town, South Africa hosted the 8th World One Health Congress from 20th-23rd of September 2024. Dr Mark Schipp, Chair of the WVA One Health Working Group presented a poster on veterinary medicine and community engagement strategies. More than 1400 participants heard from 350 speakers on topics across the One Health spectrum. This was the first time that the congress had been held on the continent of Africa and the importance of One Health for Africa was emphasised from the opening keynote lecture.

World Rabies Day – Breaking the Boundaries

To mark World Rabies Day on 28 September 2024, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the World Medical Association (WMA) demand continued efforts to eradicate rabies. Under the theme “Breaking Rabies Boundaries”, the two organisations advocate for a One Health approach, vaccination for high-risk groups, and universal access to rabies treatment.