Editorial piece by Dr Monique Éloit, former Director General, WOAH

In 1924, recognising the threat of animal diseases spreading through trade, the World Organisation for Animal Health was founded. A century on, we have significantly evolved the global animal health agenda, standing by the veterinary workforce worldwide.  

WOAH is now a significant and influential player in high-level meetings and forums alongside peers in the sectors of human health, food and agriculture, as well as the environment. As we look into the future, our focus will remain on three key objectives: ensuring that Veterinary Services are duly acknowledged for their critical role, advocating for sustainable practices, and championing animal health and welfare for a safer world. 

100 years of caring for the human-animal relationship 

Understanding the importance of animal health is crucial for humans because our societies are deeply intertwined with the existence of animals. It’s our duty to assume our role in ensuring their health and welfare; it’s not just an option but a fundamental obligation. The bond between people and animals has always existed, originating in a historic working and sustenance relationship. Today, animals are integral to human life in numerous ways, from farming of domesticated animals to keeping ecosystems in balance to sustain wildlife. A staggering 2.6 billion people rely on livestock, small-scale fishing, and aquaculture for their livelihoods and income. More recently, the positive impact of pets on our emotional and physical well-being has also been recognised. The breadth of our relationship with animals is vast and ever-growing. 

As an organisation, WOAH has evolved significantly, now encompassing many facets of the human-animal relationship, expanding its initial focus on trade-related issues. Alongside our partners, we are addressing today’s global challenges, including the rise of antimicrobial resistance, the impacts of climate change, and the protection of wildlife health. 

100 years of benefitting communities 

Every time actions are taken to preserve animal health, societies observe countless positive ripple effects. In a context where 60% of infectious diseases that affect people are of animal origin, preserving animal health is critical in safeguarding human health. Keeping animals healthy is crucial for guaranteeing access to safe food supplies, such as fish, meat, milk, and eggs, which in turn decreases poverty and hunger. With women making up 50 to 70% of the workforce in livestock and aquatic sector, better animal health contributes to gender equality by providing them with dependable income and better working conditions.  

Improving animal welfare improves animal health. Over time, WOAH has intensified its efforts to support animal welfare. By providing countries with detailed guidelines, we encourage farmers to adopt safer and more responsible practices. We support a worldwide transition to farming methods that are more environmentally friendly, aligning with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Enhanced animal welfare means healthier animals, which translates to higher productivity. Moreover, it helps cut down on greenhouse gases and farming-related pollution. Agriculture contributes 10-12% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with meat, poultry, and dairy production responsible for 75% of this amount. Recognising the significant role animal farming plays in emitting greenhouse gases and working towards reducing them through sustainable methods is vital for addressing climate change—one of humanity’s most significant challenges. 

100 years of championing animal health and welfare in global discussions 

When WOAH was created 100 years ago, its aim was to help mitigate the spread of diseases across borders, especially through trade. A rinderpest outbreak in Belgium sparked international concern, leading to the setting up of an information and reporting system for animal diseases.  

Globally, WOAH has been recognised early on as the leading standard-setting organisation for animal health and zoonoses by the World Trade Organization (WTO). From this point onwards, we have progressively gained influence as the advocacy voice of the veterinary workforce on critical global challenges. Through a One Health approach and our collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) within the Quadripartite partnership, we have consistently represented the animal health perspective on the international stage. At the G20, the United Nations General Assembly, the Paris Peace Forum or the G7, we have shown our commitment to playing a role in resolving multifaceted issues of our times. 

Tomorrow: responding to global challenges together

Moving forward, we will continue to adapt, just as we have over the last century, by staying attuned to the evolving needs of our Members and societies, and by providing the most appropriate responses. Back in 1924, nations recognised the importance of uniting behind a shared mission: to stop the spread of diseases such as rinderpest. A century later, in 2024, the same level of collaboration and solidarity is essential to tackle the challenges of today. Whether it’s responding to extreme weather events, addressing the threat of antimicrobial resistance, or preparing for pandemics, these challenges demand a collective and multi-sectoral approach. As WOAH embarks on its second century, we are dedicated as ever to the global efforts for One Health, using our commitment to animal health and welfare as a foundation for creating a more sustainable future. 

Because animal health is our health.
It’s everyone’s health.  

Dr Monique Éloit
former Director General of WOAH.

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What if artificial intelligence were used as a response to the global shortage of the  veterinary workforce? What kind of challenges would rapidly rising water temperatures pose for aquaculture and fishing in general? Turning 100 seems like another perfect opportunity to take a step back and reflect on what comes next.

From September 2023 to January 2024, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) led a foresight project which brought together more than 70 stakeholders from the animal health and welfare domains. The goal: to leverage foresight methods to imagine possible futures and gather insightful ideas to make informed decisions and strategies.  

Why is WOAH using foresight? 

Interest in foresight is growing as more individuals and organisations acknowledge that embracing uncertainty and analysing multiple futures is crucial to navigating the challenges of the 21st century. In this context, Members asked WOAH to establish foresight initiatives at regional and global level in 2019. The goal was to navigate, plan for and adapt to uncertain futures. 

As a response, WOAH started using foresight methods to raise awareness of prevailing or emerging changes, opportunities or disruptions, within the animal health and welfare sectors and beyond. These methods include the examination of the consequences of trends and emerging issues, such as climate change, through scenarios that can guide decision making and policies, by helping test existing strategies and develop new ones. Foresight fosters our capacity to embrace uncertainty, rather than seek to eliminate it. This empowers the Organisation and its Members to look at the present through a different lens. 

From the eco-revolution to space exploration: five animal health scenarios 

For WOAH’s 100th anniversary, a participatory foresight project was organised in a series of consecutive workshops. To ensure a youth perspective, members from the International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA) participated, alongside experienced animal health and welfare professionals. They explored current and emerging trends and drivers for change, such as the rise of AI, biothreats, medical advances or climate change, to build a range of possible futures scenarios. 

Five scenarios were drafted: “Eco-revolution rising” explored food system impacts of climate change and proliferation of biotechnology. “In WOAH we trust” addressed the impacts of misinformation and erosion of public trust in the context of a food system crisis. “Hangry games” described a food system collapse following political and economic tensions, in a context where artificial intelligence has become central to addressing animal health and welfare challenges.  

“Animal health from the bottom of the oceans to the stars” explored technological developments in animal production intersecting with the growing space industry, leading to the first off-planet satellite farms. “Farming for resilience” described the effects of polycrises on farming, the diversity of farming practices from small-scale cooperatives to robot-led farming, as well as the release of multispecies superbugs upon the world by the dark side of science.  

During the last series of workshops, participants developed innovative strategies to address the challenges described in these scenarios. Each participant contributed with their priorities in mind and discovered additional ones in the process. Solutions were considered collectively, ranging from  greater exposure of young children to science and experimentation, to training on innovative technologies for all veterinarians, and a global step up of the One Health approach.  

Fostering long-term vision and current action 

What main challenges are animal health and welfare facing in the coming years? Participants of the foresight project representing the youth shared their views. For Anandu Rajaji, IVSA member from India, “the surging popularity of meat and milk replacers necessitates comprehensive research”, and the “rise of antimicrobial resistance demands urgent action”. For IVSA Animal Welfare chair Anna Wilson from India, “the root causes of many emerging diseases, climate changes, human-animal conflicts, and other environmental problems, are deforestation and pollution”. “The enormity of our challenges has become more apparent to me,” she adds.

While the foresight project has confronted each participant with the reality of the challenges lying ahead, it also fostered dialogue and collective brainstorming.

The future now presents exciting challenges, brimming with opportunities for positive change.

Marta Masserdoti,
One Health chair at IVSA, Italy.

A committed animal health and welfare community 

The importance of the animal health and welfare sector and the responsibility of its stakeholders in addressing present and future challenges now appears clearer than ever. “It is becoming increasingly clear that animal health is interconnected with the biggest issues facing the world today. It is precisely their magnitude that should instill in us an unwavering hope that the world, especially the youth, will come together to address them”, states Mehdi Amrani Souhli, an IVSA member from Morocco. 

Faced with the numerous possible outcomes of today’s trends, participants in the foresight project found comfort within this community. As collective images of the futures appeared, the group developed common perspectives on what is possible, and a shared sense of identity and possibility. 

My vision of the future changed for the better when I realised there are like-minded people out there trying to make fundamental changes to the systemic challenges we face.

Lisa Buren, a member of the IVSA from the Netherlands.

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Dame Sally Davies is the UK Special Envoy on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). After a career as a hematologist and as Chief Medical Officer for England, she is now a leading advocate on AMR on the global stage.  

Professor Scott Weese is a veterinarian and professor in pathobiology at the Ontario Veterinary College, Canada, and Director of the Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses. He is also a co-author of “Worms and Germs”, a popular science blog on animal health.

When was antimicrobial resistance first acknowledged?

Dame Sally Davies: Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin himself, recognised it as early as 1945. We were always aware it could happen. In the past decade, the data shows that AMR has been steadily on the rise. I was asked to chair the first Technical Advisory Group on AMR in 2014 and the first Global Action Plan was passed in 2015 at the World Health Organization (WHO) with the support of WOAH and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).  

Professor Scott Weese: Issues in animals emerged similarly but it took longer for us to recognise them as resistance because there is less testing and research in animal health compared with human health. Still WOAH did warn against improper use of antibiotics as early as 1952, in a resolution.  

“Practitioner must not use antibiotics at the discretion of his fantasy, but following rules that have been set by experience. Use of antibiotics against insensitive germs or specifically resistant, utilisation of too weak doses or through a too short time frame, can reveal resistant germs, delaying the onset of an efficient therapy and lead to treatment failures, harming a method that, when judiciously and correctly applied, has saved numerous human and animal lives.”

Abstract from WOAH’s 1952 resolution based on scientific evidence reported in 1948.  

Why do human and animal health stakeholders need to work together to fight AMR?  

Prof. S.W. We are not sure how much AMR in humans is attributable to animals: probably between 4% and 96%! What we do know is that we need everyone to act. Doctors, veterinarians, humans and animal carers alike. In the past, a “blame game” was going on: veterinarians blaming physicians for giving children antibiotics against viral infections [reminder: it doesn’t work], physicians blaming the overuse of antibiotics on livestock… The truth is, we all need to do a better job. 

D.S.D. Calculations by WHO have shown that antibiotics give an extra 20 years of life to humans. We don’t want to misuse them so that resistance develops. We also know that animals, including humans, pee and poo more than 70% of the antibiotics they absorb. Without extraordinarily modern sewage, high-use farms, hospitals, and other facilities can contaminate the environment.  

What can an international organisation such as WOAH do?  

Prof. S.W. WOAH has been a strong voice on issues such as growth promotion. Telling farmers what to do can be unpopular, so it makes it easier for countries if they get international support. There is also an advocacy component, to get Nations to bring in robust funded action plans to improve more than just antibiotic use, but whole health systems.  

D.S.D. WOAH plays a leadership role. It shows that AMR matters, and that it is not only a concern of human health.  

What were the key achievements in the past years? 

D.S.D. In 2016, at the United Nations High-level meeting, the Secretary General established the Inter-Agency coordination group (IACG) which brought in WOAH, WHO and FAO as equals, working together. In 2019, the Global Leaders Group was created, with a Joint Secretariat including WOAH, WHO, FAO, and recently the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The inclusion of UNEP shows that resistance is no longer just a human health, or animal health issue, but truly “One Health”. Most countries are now ready to have a national action plan against AMR, although funding is still an issue. The recently launched Multi-Stakeholder Platform brings in the private sector and civil society, as responsible use is not only a matter of regulation, but of awareness, understanding and collective engagement from everyone.  

What can be done today against antimicrobial resistance?

D.S.D. Let’s start with preventing infections. The first thing is to have clean water, use of soap, sanitation, good air flow: in health care facilities, in animal rearing, and in people’s homes. We need more use of vaccines: routine campaigns, as well as new vaccines for animal farming. We also need to improve diagnostics, so that antibiotics are used only when appropriate, not because of an erratic diagnosis or for growth promotion. Action on antimicrobial resistance requires support and training for veterinary and medical expertise. 

Prof. S.W. AMR is a tricky issue, because it is an end result of our health care challenges. There is no miracle cure: let’s start with better barns, with good ventilation. We need better education, empowerment of women who are often decision-makers for health issues and equitable access to appropriate treatments and preventives. We also need to change mindsets in farming, because we get a lot of resistance to change from people who have always done things a certain way and don’t necessarily understand why we can’t go on the way we used to.  

What will you propose at the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations on AMR ?

D.S.D. We would like to come out of the High-Level Meeting in September 2024 with an independent scientific panel, owned by low- and middle-income countries, which could set targets for the world. UNEP could play a key role in making sure of that, with its experience with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).  

Prof. S.W. We need to focus on actionable things for prescribers and farmers. Reducing use of antibiotics by kilograms is not an effective target, because the outcomes vary from drug to drug. We need more funding for research, to understand exactly which components drive resistance. For example, we are preparing an app-based guideline for Veterinary Services in low- and middle-income countries, with content adapted to what’s available in each country. We also proposed an AWaRe-type classification for antibiotics for animal use.  

D.S.D. We need standards to implement the good practices that we already know are working, as well as innovation on growth promotion, disinfection, diagnosis, affordable new treatments and vaccines. For the 2024 High-Level Meeting, I suggested a focus on access to medication because you can’t worry about resistance when people are not getting access to standard and essential antibiotics, basic hygiene, vaccines. 

Prof. S.W. People are not marching on the streets for antimicrobial resistance like they do for climate change: we need to motivate people, groups and Nations to act. Rather than deflecting blame, we need all organisations to work together. A One-Health approach, as we are building it right now, is much more effective.

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On 13 March 2024, WOAH informed the world that “high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) [had] reached an unprecedented milestone”, with the discovery of a dead South Polar skua on an Argentinian Antarctic base. Samples of the dead animal were sent for analysis on a neighbouring base, where it was demonstrated that the seabird had died from HPAI. An immediate notification was published on the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), with recommendations for joint action.

This new information was added to the database, mapped and time-referenced with other recent animal health events, providing professionals and relevant stakeholders with a global view of the most updated cases of African swine fever, SARS-CoV-2 or rabies, among other animal diseases, around the world.  

Sharing animal health information: the core of WOAH’s mission

“Without transparency and sharing of data and relevant information on the animal health situation, we would not be able to effectively prevent and fight existing animal diseases, not to mention the emerging threats,” states Jacob Jensen, the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark.

Data collection and publication were at the heart of WOAH’s original mandate since it was created, in 1924, in response to a rinderpest outbreak in Europe. By establishing the OIE, the 28 founding countries committed to notify the Organisation “of the suspicion or confirmation of an outbreak of a disease, an infection/infestation or other epidemiological event”, so that all the Members’ veterinary authorities could be warned in turn. At the time, notifications happened through the fastest means of communication available: telegrams.  

One hundred years on, the system has evolved and is still as relevant as ever.

Disease reporting and the timely exchange of information are vital as climate change and the increasing pressure on natural resources pose significant challenges that may contribute to the emergence of new diseases.

Mahmoud Elies Hamza, the Minister of Agriculture of Tunisia.

Tracking data and rumours

Through the years, data collection and dissemination progressed along with the available technology. The first digital database, Handistatus, was made available in 1996, and the central server for WAHIS was created in 2005. At the time, the platform already included an early warning system associating alert messages on new cases of disease worldwide to a monitoring system with follow-up and thematic reports on all topics, including Veterinary Services, vaccine production, animal population and human cases of zoonoses.  

By 2016, WAHIS was providing spatial and temporal information on diseases, details on diagnostic tests and laboratories performing them, quantitative data on infected animals and qualitative data on control measures and status of diseases. “The data verification process is a critical control point for our Organisation, comprising consistency checks with historical observations, regional and global context, as well as unofficial information that is circulating.” said Dr Montserrat Arroyo, WOAH’s Deputy Director General on International Standards and Science.

Timely information ensures safe trade

By receiving animal health information from countries and territories and sharing it in a timely manner, WOAH supports safe trade between countries.

Faced with the presence of African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in Americas, Mexico has taken full advantage of WAHIS:

This international surveillance has allowed us to keep our risk analysis for the introduction of ASF up-to-date, to detect possible routes of introduction and to establish new barriers to maintain safe trade.

Dr Juan Gay Gutiérrez, Director General on Animal Health and WOAH Delegate for Mexico.

 For New Zealand Minister for Biosecurity, Hon Andrew Hoggard, “the accurate and transparent dissemination of information on animal disease occurrence is fundamental for importing countries to confidently trade with New Zealand.”  

Not only does it help maintain safe trade, countries that regularly report to WAHIS could obtain new trade opportunities thanks to the transparency that comes with a functional information system: “Our good reporting history in WAHIS is one tangible way to demonstrate we have a robust national animal biosecurity system and that we are transparent in our disease status, which aids in building trust with our trading partners,” notes Hon Andrew Hoggard. 

Making open access to animal health information a reality 

The WAHIS in 2017 contained a wealth of reliable information. It was time to face a new challenge: making data access easier for all users. After four years of development and testing, a renovated system was launched in 2021. The new system is quicker and more intuitive, providing the ability to mine and download data, and visualise temporal and spatial data. The information is available to complement other organisations’ as well as national and regional databases of interest, allowing for enhanced decision-making worldwide.  

As it has been for 100 years, the animal health data collected by WOAH is free and available to everyone: government agencies, industries, researchers, academics, journalists–in line with the Organisation’s founding principle, that reliable, timely, accessible information is crucial for efficient global action on animal health, and public health.  

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WOAH’s current focus on antimicrobial resistance, animal welfare, wildlife and aquatic animals raises the question of whether its founders could have predicted the Organisation’s current state a century ago. In a constantly evolving world, WOAH is increasing its flexibility and capability to respond to new and emerging complexities, such as shifting climatic conditions and technological progress, identifying opportunities and challenges that support the Organisation’s resilience. These factors will be discussed at the Forum. 

How does a century-old Organisation prepare for what is to come?

With important opportunities and challenges lying ahead, exploring alternatives for future preparedness is crucial. Through the revision of current governance structures and opportunities, the Forum will explore WOAH’s past, present and future. The Forum will take place on 27 May during WOAH’s 91^st General Session, and will be livestreamed online. 

Monday 27 May 2024
Time	Session
11:00 am – 12:30 pm	Session 1 “Reflecting on the Present” (livestream)
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm	Session 2 “Journey to the Future”
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm	Session 3 “Acting Today to Prepare for Tomorrow” (livestream)

To imagine WOAH’s potential role in these animal health and welfare landscapes, stakeholders were involved in a Participatory Foresight Project (PFP) launched in 2023 to mark WOAH’s 100th Anniversary. Participants used foresight methods to investigate opportunities and disruptions, encouraging discussions on complex issues and exploring possible scenarios impacting WOAH and Veterinary Services in the 21^st century.

As part of the broad range of participants, there were students from the International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA). Their contributions brought fresh insights to the creation and exploration of alternative scenarios. The next generation of animal health professionals is faced with complex interconnected issues that will need to go beyond what is currently taught in veterinary schools and may include the use of artificial intelligence, data management and analysis, cybersecurity, environmental science, communications, critical thinking, leadership and diplomacy. 

As the potential next generation of WOAH experts and Delegates, having IVSA representatives at the Forum is to inspire long-term thinking and to spark conversations in the World Assembly of WOAH Delegates in the shaping the of future of how the Members contribute to the Organisation and how the Organisation serves its Members.  

What lies ahead is unpredictable. Therefore, the exploration of potential challenges presents numerous outlooks and future scenarios, each with a chance for realisation. This uncertainty shows the power of foresight practices, extending decision-making and pathway options.  

A review of WOAH’s Basic Texts, a set of foundational documents that outline the Organisation’s mission and governance structure was also made to assess their suitability for meeting the demands of Members and international organisations. At the Forum, the Assembly and partners are invited to be immersed in different future scenarios to explore WOAH’s potential role in those future landscapes to help with decision making about WOAH’s Basic Texts.

A hundred years have passed, and looking into the future can inform the decisions we need today. WOAH remains fully committed to actively responding to present and emerging complexities, and improving animal health and welfare worldwide.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) marked its 100th anniversary with an online conference, covering an overview of its rich history, evolution, and vision for the future of animal health. Attended by over 500 participants, the invitation-only event featured five notable speakers who shared their unique perspectives on this special occasion.

• Dr Monique Eloit, the Director General, set the tone with a compelling keynote address, reflecting on the organisation’s pivotal role in global issues over the past century and providing insightful lessons for the future. 
• Dr Montserrat Arroyo, Deputy Director General, presented the Foresight Project WOAH is undertaking. The Foresight Project is engaging a diverse group of professionals to explore and design emerging futures, ensuring such scenarios remain at the forefront of animal health challenges. 
• Dr Fajur Sabah Al Salloom, Director for Animal Health from the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Bahrain,  shared an insightful speech on her own experience as WOAH Delegate for Bahrain and the essential need to strengthen Veterinary Services.
• Dr Debbie Eagles, Acting Director of CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, a cornerstone of WOAH’s collaborative network, underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation, as well as including the One Health approach in every discussion, for improved animal health worldwide.
• Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo, Sub-Regional Representative for Southern Africa, brought a unique regional perspective that enriches our organisation.

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Watch Dr Monique Eloit’s speech

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More on the online celebration