Ministers from around the world unite behind global push to invest in animal health as new WOAH report warns of dangerous funding gap

Landmark declaration at WOAH General Session positions animal health as a frontline defence against pandemics, food insecurity and economic shocks

Paris, France — 18 May 2026 — Ministers and high-level government representatives from across the world have endorsed a landmark Ministerial Statement at the 93rd General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), calling for urgent global investment in animal health systems amid growing biological threats, climate pressures and rising pandemic risks.

The high-level political commitment comes as WOAH’s latest State of the World’s Animal Health report warns that animal health receives as little as 0.6% of global health spending despite mounting disease crises and escalating risks to food systems, economies and public health worldwide.

Against this backdrop, 17 Ministers issued a unified call to place animal health and welfare at the centre of global health security, economic resilience and sustainable development strategies.

“Animal health and welfare are no longer sectoral issues,” the Ministers declared in the Statement. “They are fundamental to food and nutrition security, economic stability, safe trade, poverty reduction and the prevention of health crises at the human–animal–environment interface.”

The declaration sends a strong political signal that investment in Veterinary Services, disease prevention and animal vaccination must become a global priority under the One Health agenda. 

The Ministers warned that underfunded animal health systems, of which Veterinary Services are a core part, are being asked to manage expanding responsibilities with insufficient and unpredictable resources, weakening the world’s ability to prevent and respond to animal disease outbreaks and zoonotic spillover events. They stressed that strong animal health systems are essential not only for preventing transboundary animal diseases and future pandemics, but also for safeguarding trade, protecting livelihoods, strengthening food systems and supporting environmental sustainability.

Notes to editors

The message was endorsed by the following ministers and senior officials: 

Mrs. Annie Genevard, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty of France; H.E. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture of Bahrain; H.E. Edwin Gorataone Dikoloti, Minister of Lands and Agriculture of Botswana; S. E. M. Sidi Tiemoko Touré, Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources of Côte d’Ivoire; H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates; S.E. Luis Planas Puchades, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain; H.E. Mandla Tshawuka, Minister of Agriculture of Eswatini; H.E. David Songulashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia; H.E. Monsieur Félix Lamah, Minister of Livestock of Guinea; H.E. Mustapha Zulfikar, Minister of Agriculture of Guyana; H.E Saeb Khresat, Minister of Agriculture of Jordan; H.E Aidarbek Saparov, Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan; H.E Riana Nantenaina Randriamonjenahary, Minister of Livestock of Madagascar; H.E. Hon. Idi Muktar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development of Nigeria; H.E. Bright Kanyontore Rwamirama, Minister of State for Animal Industry of Uganda; Mr Jorge Luis Sáenz Rabanal, Vice Minister for Agrarian Development Policy Supervision of Peru; H.E. Glamocic Dragan, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Serbia; H.E Hassan Hussein Mohamed, Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Range of Somalia; H.E. Kapala Peter Chibwe, Minister of Animal Industry and Fisheries of Zambia; and Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare.

---

For more information: 
Contact:
Gerrit Beger | Head of Communication  
[email protected] | +33 7 49 33 37 21  

Elise Pierrat | Communication Manager
[email protected] | +33 6 69 51 84 00 

About the World Organisation for Animal Health 

The World Organisation for Animal Health is the global authority on animal health. Since 1924, it has worked to improve animal health and welfare worldwide, recognising that animal health is fundamentally connected to human health and the health of the planet. Through science-based standards, global data systems, technical support and the continuous monitoring of animal diseases across livestock, wildlife and aquatic animals, WOAH helps its 183 Members detect, prevent and respond to threats before they escalate. Its Members use WOAH standards to support safe trade, protect public health, strengthen food security and safeguard livelihoods. Supported by an extensive global network of experts and laboratories, WOAH fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing and coordinated action. By providing data, tools and expertise, it empowers Members to address their specific challenges and strengthen their animal health systems. 

Because in an interconnected world, protecting animal health means protecting our shared future. 

About WOAH’s 93rd General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates 
The 93rd General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) takes place from 18–22 May 2026 in Paris, France, bringing together representatives from WOAH’s 183 Members, international organisations, experts and key stakeholders from across the animal health sector. As WOAH’s flagship institutional event, the General Session provides a global platform to adopt international standards, advance technical and policy discussions, and strengthen international cooperation on animal health and welfare. 

This year’s Animal Health Forum theme, “Investing in Animal Health to Secure Everyone’s Future,” highlights the critical role of animal health in strengthening food security, economic resilience and global health preparedness under a One Health approach.