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Agreement with the Economic Community of west African states (ECOWAS)
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS)
AND
THE WORLD ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH (OIE)
Adopted by the ECOWAS and the OIE on 27 June 2006
The Economic Community of West African States, with headquarters in Abuja , represented by its Executive Secretary, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, hereinafter referred to as "ECOWAS",
AND
The World Animal Health Organisation (OIE), with headquarters at 12, rue de Prony , 75017 , Paris , France , represented by its Director General, Dr Bernard Vallat, hereinafter referred to as "the OIE",
Noting Decision A/DEC. 4/5/82, relating to the adoption of the protocol on regional agricultural development strategy, adopted by the Heads of State and Government at Cotonou , Benin , and the need to implement it by means of suitable programmes;
Convinced that livestock farming, which is one aspect of this regional agricultural development strategy, plays an essential role in the socio-economic development of the Member States of the Community insofar as it provides a means of fighting poverty for the populations of the said Community engaged in this activity;
Mindful that good animal health is also a source of good health for the said population as consumers of livestock products;
Considering that the objectives of the OIE include, on the one hand, contributing to the eradication of animal diseases of whatever type capable of affecting human populations and, on the other hand, determining animal health standards relating to the animal health status of its Member Countries with regard to priority animal diseases, with a view to international trade in animals and animal products;
Recognising the urgent need to strengthen both the capacities of regional institutions in terms of animal disease research and control at the regional or global level and the regulation of trade in animals and animal products which help to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life of human populations in West Africa;
Given that the Parties to the present Agreement are mindful of the mutual benefit to be derived from such cooperation;
HEREBY AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Article 1
The Parties to the present Agreement hereby decide to create a general framework for collaboration in various fields of activity.
Article 2
The cooperation decided upon by the Parties is aimed at durably strengthening and developing exchanges between them.
Article 3
The present Framework Cooperation Agreement concerns the field of livestock farming, and in particular the field of animal health, including zoonoses.
FORMS OF COOPERATION
Article 4
Cooperation between ECOWAS and the OIE may take various forms, including the following areas:
– technical assistance;
– training;
– information and consultations;
– exchanges of good practice in all fields of animal health.
Article 5
The OIE will provide ECOWAS with technical assistance and expertise in the fields of activity defined by mutual agreement.
Article 6
Each Party may participate in training courses, seminars and workshops or meetings organised by the other Party in accordance with pre-established or predetermined conditions.
Article 7
1. ECOWAS and the OIE hereby agree to exchange information and consult each other periodically on all matters of mutual interest relating to:
- epizootic diseases, including zoonoses, and methods used to control them;
- animal health and research standards on the diagnosis, prophylaxis, surveillance and control of priority animal diseases;
- international trade of animals.
2. To this end, the Parties shall regularly inform each other on sector priorities of mutual interest and on the various decisions taken by their respective institutions, and exchange their activity programmes and projects under study likely to be of interest to the Party requesting them.
Article 8
The Parties may, in as durable a manner as possible, exchange good practices in livestock farming with a view to strengthening their cooperation.
Article 9
Consultations and information of a confidential nature will be the subject of special arrangements or procedures agreed to by the Parties.
Article 10
Any cooperation activity within the framework of the present Agreement is to be the subject of a request by one of the Parties, and will require the approval of the other Party.
Article 11
The Parties also agree to seek the external funding needed to launch their activities within the framework of the present Cooperation Agreement.
OTHER PROVISIONS
Article 12
Duration – Denunciation of the Agreement
1. The present Agreement is concluded for an indefinite duration.
2. The Parties nevertheless agree that the Agreement may be denounced, subject to six (6) months’ notice being given. The Party taking the initiative shall inform the other Party by whatever means at its disposal.
Article 13
Amendments
The present Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, on condition that the Party proposing the amendment notifies the other Party. Amendments shall take the form of a protocol signed by both Parties and attached to the present Agreement.
Article 14
Settlement of disputes
1. Any disputes relating to the implementation of the present Agreement shall be settled amicably between the Parties.
2. In the event of failure to reach an amicable settlement, the dispute will be definitively settled by three (3) adjudicators, one to be designated by each of the Parties and the third to be designated by the two (2) adjudicators already designated by the two (2) Parties.
Article 15
Entry into force
The present Agreement shall come into force as soon as it has been signed by the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS and the Director General of the OIE.
In witness whereof, the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS and the Director General of the OIE signed the present Cooperation Agreement.
Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas | Dr Bernard Vallat |
Executive Secretary | Director General |