91st General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates

The 91^st General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates is scheduled for
Sunday, 26 to Thursday, 30 May 2024 at the Maison de La Chimie in Paris, France.

This year’s Session holds a special significance as WOAH marks its 100th anniversary. During the five-day event, our global network will come together to celebrate WOAH’s rich history and dynamic present. We will also explore ways we can collaboratively shape a sustainable future for global animal health and welfare. 
 
The invitation-only event will convene 183 WOAH Members and representatives from international organisations who have signed an official agreement with WOAH. The 91^st General Session will also bring together observer countries and territories, WOAH key stakeholders, and special guests. During this important institutional event, the World Assembly of Delegates will adopt administrative and technical resolutions and proceed to elections for vacancies within some of the governing bodies of the Organisation. 

As part of the 91^st General Session, WOAH will host a one-of-its-kind interactive Forum, inspired by WOAH’s 100^th Anniversary Participatory Foresight Project (PFP). This innovative Forum aims to create space for open dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collective exploration of emerging futures, highlighting challenges, and opportunities in our rapidly evolving world.  More specifically, the Forum will provide an avenue for reflection, assisting WOAH and its Membership in making thoughtful, long-term decisions to enhance WOAH’s Basic Texts and current governance structures.

WOAH Members and other invitees will be contacted by the General Session Secretariat Team to complete their registration.  

Format

While being a face-to-face event, all sessions, with simultaneous interpretation in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian will be webcast on woah.org, except for the administrative session reserved for elections.

Programme

---

Livestreaming

The 91^st General Session will be livestreamed on this page according to the programme agenda. The Session will be conducted with simultaneous interpretation in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian.  

The Forum will present future scenarios related to animal health and welfare, explore WOAH’s potential role in those future landscapes, and bring lessons from those futures to help with decision making about WOAH’s Basic Texts.  

---

As a result of the devastating societal and economic consequences of “cattle plague” (Rinderpest) the World Organisation for Animal Health was established in 1924. From its humble beginnings with just 28 Members to its current stature encompassing 183 Members, WOAH has navigated a century of change in the landscape of animal health and welfare. 

WOAH’s founding members laid the groundwork with a focus on livestock in 1924. But could they have envisioned that Rinderpest would be eradicated 87 years later in 2011? Could they have imagined the breadth of challenges and opportunities that confront us today? As WOAH now addresses wildlife and aquatic animals, antimicrobial resistance, and animal welfare, one can’t help but wonder if, looking forward, the pioneers of this Organisation could have imagined the shape it would take 100 years later.  

The future is uncertain, yet the winds of change whisper of challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Today, WOAH and its Members confront new influences – from changing climates to technological advancements – shaping animal health and welfare.  

A Participatory Foresight Project, launched in July 2023, sought to anticipate these changes by engaging WOAH’s Members and stakeholders. During the project, some changes and imagined possible future scenarios for animal health and welfare were explored. These scenarios will be used at the Forum to spark discussions around implications for WOAH, its Members and its governance structures and processes, in particular, its Basic Texts to meet the demands of the twenty-first century. 

In parallel to the foresight project, WOAH undertook a comprehensive external and independent review of its Basic Texts and institutional documents. The concerted dedication and effort of WOAH’s Members to implement recommendations from the review will ensure that WOAH’s governance texts are robust and relevant in an ever evolving, dynamic environment. As WOAH evolves, so must its foundational texts and governance mechanisms to ensure resilience in the face of ongoing change.

---

Objectives

---

Possible Futures 

Three possible future scenarios have been developed for the Forum. They are based on those designed by participants of the Participatory Foresight project. Explore these scenarios to prepare for sessions 1 and 2 of the Forum. As you review them, consider the following: 

• How is your role different in this future?  
• What challenges do you face?  What opportunities are emerging?  
• Who are you working with and who haven’t you worked with before?  
• What kind of knowledge do you need?  What resources do you need? 

Now think about WOAH in the future: 

• In this future, how has WOAH adapted to these conditions? 
• What is WOAH doing differently regarding its mandate, membership, governance?  
• How has WOAH’s expert base expanded? 

During the Forum, it is hoped that Delegates and participants will bring lessons back from the future in consideration of the adoption of a resolution to undertake the revision of the Basic Texts.

---

Participants 

The Forum is accessible to all participants at the 91^st General Session.

---

Format 

The Forum will consist of three sessions: 

Agenda

Monday 27 May 2023
Time	Session
11:00 am – 12:30 pm	Session 1 “Reflecting on the Present”
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”

---

Bringing WOAH Standards closer to the user – improving accessibility and engagement

Learn about the new WOAH Standards Navigation Tool, designed to revolutionise how you access WOAH Standards on the WOAH website. The new Tool will provide a modern interface to display and search WOAH International Standards (Terrestrial Code, Aquatic Code, Terrestrial Manual and Aquatic Manual) and also includes the ability to visualise recommendations for safe international trade by commodity.

Come and see the new Tool and also learn about how WOAH’s Standards are developed and how you can participate, as well as the latest developments in this process. Bring your curiosity and any questions.

---

Discovering STAR-IDAZ IRC: Leading the Way in Animal Health Research

Opening Dates: Monday 27 May to Thursday 30 May 2024

The STAR-IDAZ International Research Consortium brings together different research funders and stakeholders from over 50 countries, united in the mission to accelerate the development of disease control tools and strategies for enhancing animal health.

Discover STAR-IDAZ research priority areas, latest activities and opportunities for collaboration. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to shape the future of veterinary science! Join us at the STAR-IDAZ IRC stand and contribute to the advancement of animal health on a global scale.

---

New Disease Status Management Platform (DSMP) – Annual Reconfirmation of official status

Opening dates: Monday 27 May to Thursday 30 May

Learn more about the newly developed Disease Status Management Platform (DSMP), especially the Annual Reconfirmation component launched in November 2023. The Status Department will share information on the ongoing developments of the DSMP and guide Members in navigating the DSMP to take full advantage of the functionalities offered.

At the DSMP stand, Members will also be able to share their experience using the Annual Reconfirmation Component of the DSMP and learn more about the new annual reconfirmation form for BSE. For Members wishing to have a one-on-one session, please contact the Status Department ([email protected]) by 7 May 2024.

---

The AMR Street – collective progress & actions to curb AMR

Opening dates: Monday 27 May to Thursday 30 May

To curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) collaboration across sectors, at global, regional and national levels, among private and public entities, all together, is essential. The AMR Street will provide you with information on:

• The AMR Multi-Stakeholders Partnership Platform, a global and inclusive forum created by Quadripartite partners
• Priority actions to close the gaps in animal health, in light of the upcoming High-Level Meeting on AMR to be held at the 79th UN General Assembly in September 2024
  
• WOAH’s activities facilitating the implementation of WOAH’s AMR Strategy by Members (i.e., ANIMUSE System, AMR actions in aquatic animals, alert system for substandard and falsified veterinary medicines, etc.)
• Specific actions to promote responsible use of antimicrobials in companion animals, in close partnership with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).

---

WOAH Regions

Opening dates: Monday 27 May to Thursday 30 May

Explore further into the activities of WOAH’s regional offices. The team will open space for interactive discussions, allowing Members delve deeper into the support that WOAH offers. In addition, this stand will provide an opportunity to share some engaging pieces of regional history and culture, through an interactive exchange.

---

Publications, documentation and archives

Opening dates: Monday 27 May to Thursday 30 May

As part of WOAH’s centenary programme, the Publications, documentation and archives stand will showcase WOAH’s flagship publications, provide more information about the Documentary Portal, historical archives, the cross-functional archiving approach adopted over the last year and the comprehensive work being carried out to preserve the Organisation’s Memory.

---

PVS and Training: WOAH Capacity Building System

Opening dates: Monday 27 May to Thursday 30 May

Identify means and tools to strengthen Members’ capacities to implement international standards for animal health and welfare.

• Discover new initiatives such as PVS Information System (PVS IS), Community Animal Health Workers guidelines & eLearning modules.
• Book a bilateral meeting to explore Public-Private Partnerships, One Health, Sustainable Laboratories, Development, or Legislation.
• Explore the future of veterinary training: dive into WOAH’s new, engaging eLearning modules, where learning meets innovation.
• Sign up for a discussion group to express your needs and next steps towards empowering your VS.

---

Rabies

Opening dates: Monday 27 May to Thursday 30 May

Find out more about available tools and resources that can support in developing and implementing national strategic plans for rabies control.

---

Discover, Learn, Act: Wildlife Health

Opening dates: Monday 27 May to Thursday 30 May

Discover more on the wildlife health framework and the importance of addressing wildlife health/biodiversity loss, WOAH’s actions related to this, and what the next 100 years should hold.

---

WAHIS: World Animal Health Information System

Opening dates: Monday 27 May to Thursday 30 May

Visit the WAHIS stand to learn about WAHIS and WAHIAD’s activities and the benefits of connecting to WAHIS. At the WAHIS stand, our team will:

• reinforce the key messages of why, what, when, where, and how to report.
• showcase the improved functionalities of WAHIS, the business tool.
• highlight the various user support and training options currently available.
• explain the next steps in WAHIS development (Six-Monthly Report module, Annual Report module, ADIS-WAHIS interconnection).
• capture feedback from reporting and consulting users of WAHIS.
• update stakeholders on progress with the interim solution for annual reporting of non-listed diseases of wildlife (WAHIS-WILD Beta).

---

Side events

Working Documents

Administrative Reports

Financial Reports

---

Draft Resolutions

Venue 

The 91^st General Session will take place at Maison de la Chimie located at 28 rue Saint-Dominique, 75007 Paris, France.

How to reach the Conference venue  

Transportation	Line	Station
Metro	Line 8	Invalides
Metro	Line 12	Assemblée Nationale
Metro	Line 13	Invalides
RER	Line C	Esplanade des Invalides
Bus	Bus 69	Esplanade des Invalides
Bus	Bus 93	Invalides

Sanitary measures at the Conference venue 

According to the current French regulations, mask-wearing is no longer mandatory in establishments open to the public but continues to be recommended in enclosed and small spaces, and at large gatherings.

Based on the above information, wearing a mask will not be mandatory to access Maison de la Chimie, but a limited stock of masks and self-service hydroalcoholic gel dispensers will be available on-site, for emergency cases. We invite all guest to assess their own health status and take the right measure in case of any risk of contamination and safety.

---

Plan your stay 

Travel requirements 

Attendees are responsible to check and comply with any local sanitary measures at the time of the event.  

The following links: diplomatie.gouv.fr and the Interior Ministry website are provided for informational purposes only.

Visa  

All attendees are responsible to enquire the relevant visa(s) to reach and leave the French territory and make the necessary arrangements to obtain it/them for the full round trip.  

For general information and for preparing, submitting and tracking visa application, attendees can log on to France-Visas, France’s official visa site. Attendees are strongly recommended to start their visa procedure as soon as possible in order to have enough time to obtain it. 

Accommodation 

All participants are responsible for making their hotel reservations in Paris and covering relevant costs.   

Airport Transfer 

Getting to or leaving Paris airports by Taxi

• from/to Orly Airport
• from/to Charles de Gaulle Airport

Getting to or leaving Paris airports by Public Transport 

• For more details on the public transport connecting the Charles de Gaulle Airport with Paris, please visit: Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport by public transport – Paris Aéroport.
• For more details on the public transport connecting the Orly Airport with Paris, please visit: Paris-Orly airport by public transport – Paris Aéroport.

---

Food options around The Maison de la Chimie

Sandwiches Shop

Small restaurants for eating on site or takeaway

Pubs

Business Lunches or Dinners

Accreditation to access the event on site 

Kindly complete this online form before Thursday 16 May 2024.

No access will be permitted without prior accreditation. Some sessions will not be open to the press (kindly refer to the programme).

---

Interview requests

Interviews with participants may be arranged, subject to availability, throughout and after the General Session, by appointment only and with at least 48 hours’ notice.  
 
Do not hesitate to contact us with your list of questions to facilitate the planning and allow us to better meet your expectations: [email protected].

---

Follow the discussions of the event

To allow you to follow the topics covered throughout the event: 

• Other open sessions (“webcast”) will be livestreamed on our website 
• Several articles will be published during the week 
• Highlights from the sessions will be relayed on our social media channels 
• Official photos of the event will be made available on Flickr.

---

Read our latest stories 

This section is regularly updated – check back in the following weeks to follow up on some latest stories.

---

Join the conversion on social media by using #WOAHGS