Building a Stronger Future for Animal Health

Key outcomes on WOAH’s Governance at the 92nd General Session and the Governance Review Committee Meeting

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is taking bold steps toward modernising its governance. At the 92nd General Session (92GS) last May, the Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution No. 5 (2025), paving the way for a comprehensive governance reform package to be reviewed and decided upon by the Assembly at the next General Session in May 2026.

Key Outcomes on the 92GS and Governance

Here’s what’s in the spotlight: 

• Commitment to Progress: Delegates affirmed that the reform work of the WOAH Governance Review Committee (GRC) embodies WOAH’s vision of becoming a modern, adaptable and forward-thinking organisation, dedicated to animal health and welfare worldwide. 

• Transparency and Effectiveness: A renewed focus on enhancing how WOAH operates, including
  – Refining the selection process for Specialist Commission members. 
  – Documenting processes and clarifying stakeholder input in WOAH’s standard-setting and technical decisions (e.g. WOAH animal health status decisions and register for emerging diseases). 
• Get Involved: All WOAH Members are encouraged to actively participate in the GRC reform work by providing their ideas and feedback to their regional GRC Members (Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Guatemala, Ireland, Kenya, Lebanon, Norway, People’s Republic of China, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Tunisia). 

Special Highlights from GRC Meeting on Technical Governance

Ahead of the General Session, the GRC convened on 23–24 May 2025 to discuss transformative ideas for WOAH’s technical governance. This included:

• Reviewing how WOAH Specialist Commissions, Working Groups, and Ad hoc Groups are formed and collaborate.
• Exploring expert selection processes to ensure inclusivity and technical excellence.

The GRC was also joined by Dr Sarah Cahill, Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and Ms Adriana Moreira and Mr Emmanuel Krah from the International Plant Protection Convention Secretariat, sharing insights on stakeholder engagement and standard-setting processes.

What’s Next?

To dive deeper, explore the current reform proposals to be reviewed by the GRC in Annex 2 of the GRC’s Report to the 92nd General Session (92_GS/Adm-06). The outcomes of GRC-4 will also soon be accessible on the WOAH Delegate Portal by Delegates.

Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us in shaping the future of WOAH governance. Together, we’re building a stronger, more transparent organisation, advancing animal health and welfare for a healthier, more sustainable world.

Contact: GRC Secretariat ([email protected])