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Agreement with the Organization of African Unity – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (OUA-IBAR)
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE WORLD ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH (OIE)
AND
THE AFRICAN UNION ACTING THROUGH THE AFRICAN UNION – INTERAFRICAN BUREAU FOR ANIMAL RESOURCES (AU-IBAR)
Adopted by the OAU-IBAR and by the OIE on 28 May 2015
This Agreement supersedes and replaces the Agreement previously signed on the 19 September 2001 between the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
Article 1
Background
1.1 The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is an institution specialised in the area of animal resources whose mandate is to support and coordinate the sustainable development and utilisation of animal resources to enhance nutrition and food security and contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of the people in the member states (MSs) of the African Union (AU).
1.2 The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health and welfare worldwide. In accordance with the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) of the World Trade Organisation, the OIE is the reference standard-setting global organisation in the area of animal health and zoonoses.
Article 2
Areas of co-operation
2.1 Both parties recognise the necessity and importance of establishing an agreement of mutual regional co-operation for the benefit of the common Members Countries in Africa and for the international community. This co-operation will be based on universal principles of solidarity, subsidiarity, reciprocity, core mandates of the respective organisations and the respect of institutional agreements such as the World Trade Organization SPS Agreement (1995), the AU Protocol on Relations between the African Economic Community (AEC) and the Regional Economic Communities of 2008, and agreements signed by the OIE with International and Regional Organisations, as well as agreements signed by AU-IBAR with International and Regional Organisations.
2.2 Wherever applicable, this Agreement will promote broad inter-sectoral co-operation in the areas of core mandate of the respective parties. Wherever applicable, existing coordination and consultation mechanisms should be used to implement areas of synergies and cooperation.
2.3 This Agreement covers the following scope of animal resources: terrestrial and aquatic animal production, terrestrial and aquatic animal health, including wildlife. Regarding animal health, the OIE PVS Pathway is recognised as the global standardised set of tools to assess and monitor the governance of Veterinary Services and their compliance with animal health and welfare standards. The outcomes of the PVS Pathway activities form the basis for the support provided to the countries in this area.
2.4 Considering the above, the areas of co-operation which are specified in detail in Annex I to this Agreement are:
1) Knowledge, data and information management and dissemination
2) Legislation, standard setting, standard implementation, and trade
3) Veterinary profession and veterinary education
4) Strengthening of veterinary services,
5) Animal production and farming practices / animal welfare
6) Advocacy and policy guidance
Article 3
Participation in Meetings
3.1 Subject to the rules regulating attendance and participation in meetings within the AU, the Director of AU-IBAR may invite the Director General of the OIE to participate in, or be represented at meetings of the AU-IBAR advisory committee, Programme or Project Steering Committees, Steering Groups and other events of mutual interest, as observer or members based on the specific terms of reference applicable to the governance organs.
3.2 Likewise, the Director General of the OIE shall invite the Director of AU-IBAR to participate, or be represented at, as observer in the meetings of the OIE Regional Commission for Africa and Middle East, the OIE General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates, other international meetings of common interest, and other events of mutual interest organised by the Director General of OIE or his Representatives in Africa.
Article 4
Assignment of Responsibilities and Exchange of Information
4.1 The Director General of the OIE can confer the responsibility of the implementation of all or part of this Cooperation Agreement to the OIE Regional Representatives established in Africa.
4.2 As a principle, the two Directors will consult each other and exchange information relevant to this Agreement, whenever the need arises.
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Article 5
Validity and duration
This Agreement, including Annex 1, shall enter into force on the date on which it is signed by the Director General of OIE and the Director of AU-IBAR.
This Agreement shall have an initial four-year term (the “Initial Term”). At the end of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall be automatically renewed on such date for an additional four-year term and on each successive anniversary date hereof until the next successive anniversary date (“Renewal Date”) unless either of the Organisations provides written notice to the other Organisation of its intention not to renew this Agreement at least 60 days prior to (i) the end of the Initial Term, or (ii) a Renewal Date. Either of the parties may propose amendments to the original text of the Agreement as well of the Annex. Either party may terminate this Agreement by means of an official notification giving three months’ notice and stating the reasons for termination.
Article 6
Settlement of Disputes
Any dispute, controversy, or claim that may arise over the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be settled by direct negotiations between the parties. Should this not provide a solution satisfactory to the parties, the Parties shall submit the dispute to an arbitration procedure agreed upon by the parties.
Article 7
Privileges and Immunities
Nothing in this Agreement may be interpreted or construed as a waiver, express or implied, or a modification, of the privileges, immunities and facilities which any of the parties enjoys by virtue of the international agreements and national laws applicable to the organizations.
Article 8
Governing Law
This Agreement, including the Annex I, shall be governed by International Law and principles.
For the Organization of | For the Office International |
Dr J. T. Musiime | Bernard Vallat |
1 The African Union succeeded the Organization of African Unity
2 Terrestrial Animal Health Code, new denomination since 2003
ANNEX 1 OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE WORLD ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH (OIE)
AND
THE AFRICAN UNION ACTING THROUGH THE AFRICAN UNION – INTERAFRICAN BUREAU FOR ANIMAL RESOURCES (AU-IBAR)
Areas of cooperation between AU-IBAR and OIE in the field of
animal health and welfare in Africa
For the implementation of the Framework Agreement (Article 2.4) and in conformity with the mandate of both organizations, the Parties agreed as follows:
Article 1
Definitions
For the purpose of this Annex, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“AU-IBAR”, the African Union-Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources;
“OIE”, the World Organisation for Animal Health;
“Regional”, the five regions of the African continent: western, central, southern, eastern and northern.
Article 2
Mandate of the African Union Interafrican Bureau
The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is an institution specialised in the area of animal resources whose mandate is to support and coordinate the sustainable development and utilisation of animal resources to enhance nutrition and food security and contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of the people in the member states (MSs) of the African Union (AU). The functions of AU-IBAR are as follows:
a) Coordinate activities and harmonise policies, guidelines and legislation.
b) Facilitate and support the formulation, harmonisation and implementation of coherent policies, strategies, guidelines, legislation and investment plans.
c) Assist AU member states (MSs) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in mainstreaming livestock in the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP).
d) Initiate and coordinate the implementation of relevant projects and activities in collaboration and cooperation with MSs, RECs and development partners.
e) Facilitate the formulation and adoption of common positions among MSs and RECs, Regional Fisheries Management Organisations/Regional Fisheries Bodies, for Africa’s leverage in negotiations and other global processes related to animal resources.
f) Collect, collate, analyse, share and disseminate data, information and knowledge among relevant stakeholders.
g) Play an advocacy role on matters relevant to animal resources including increased engagement of public and private sector as well civil society organisations.
h) Provide technical leadership, advisory support and build expertise in RECs and MSs.
i) Collaborate with research and academic institutions to identify priority needs for research and training.
j) Convene, coordinate and host relevant multi-stakeholder initiatives, platforms and secretariats for the development of the animal resources in Africa.
k) Provide timely and strategic support to countries experiencing emergencies and to those with special needs.
Article 3
Mandate of the OIE
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is an intergovernmental organisation with the mandate from its 180 Members to improve animal health and welfare worldwide. In accordance with the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) of the World Trade Organisation, the OIE is the reference standard-setting global organisation in the area of animal health and zoonoses. The OIE is represented in Africa by a Regional Representation for Africa (located in Bamako – Mali) and three Sub-Regional Representations (established in Nairobi – Kenya, Tunis – Tunisia and Gaborone – Botswana). The OIE works with the permanent scientific support of Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres.
The mandates of the OIE are as follows:
a) Ensure transparency in the global animal disease situation, the OIE Member Countries (including AU Member Countries) being committed to notify to the OIE (through WAHIS) any sanitary event occurring on their territories by respect to their membership,
b) Collect, analyse and disseminate veterinary scientific information
c) Encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases
d) Safeguard animal health by setting and publishing health standards for animal disease prevention and control, and for sanitary safety on international trade in animals and animal products
e) Improve the legal framework and resources of national Veterinary Services for a better veterinary good governance worldwide,
f) To provide a better guarantee of food of animal origin and to promote animal welfare through a science-based approach
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Article 4
Areas of co-operation
Both parties recognise the necessity and importance of regional co-operation for the benefit of the common Members Countries in Africa and for the international community. The areas of co-operation are:
a) Knowledge, data and information management
Information systems: Transparency and data sharing ensuring OIE and AU Member Countries obligations; Fostering interoperability between global / continental / regional / national animal health information systems and improvement of quality of data.
Publications: exchanging scientific information / publications.
b) Legislation, standards setting, standards implementation and trade
Legislation: Assisting Member Countries/States in reviewing/developing veterinary legislation complying with OIE standards, joint veterinary legislation missions; Supporting the harmonisation of veterinary legislation; Capacity building on veterinary legislation.
Standards and trade: Enhancing the participation of African experts in OIE specialist commissions, working groups and ad-hoc groups; capacity building for participation in standard setting and compliance.
c) Veterinary profession and education
Veterinary Profession: Supporting the application of standards on veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals; Supporting the strengthening of public-private partnerships, notably for the organisation of the veterinary profession (veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals).
Veterinary Education: Advocating for increased investment in veterinary education, for standardisation and harmonisation using OIE guidelines.
d) Strengthening of veterinary services
Surveillance: Supporting national surveillance systems and regional networks; Capacity building.
TADs prevention and control, and Veterinary Public Health (VPH): Enhancing the participation of AU-IBAR in the development of global strategies; Advocating the One Health concept; Mobilising resources; Capacity building; Monitoring and evaluating progress.
Laboratory: Supporting regional laboratory networks; Provide a more balanced north-south distribution of advanced expertise, allowing more countries to access high quality diagnostic testing and technical knowledge within their own region.
Veterinary Products: Capacity building; Promoting the use of quality assured products including vaccines; Establishment of continental vaccine banks.
e) Animal production and farming practices / animal welfare
Animal production and farming practices: Advocating for increased compliance with international standards and derived national legislation on animal production; Capacity building.
Animal welfare: Advocating for increased compliance with OIE international standards and derived national legislation on animal welfare; Capacity building.
f) Advocacy and policy guidance
Good governance of veterinary services: Preparation of regional /sub-regional programmes addressing needs and gaps identified through country PVS Pathway reports.
Advocacy and policy guidance: Raising awareness on global emerging issues; Documenting/mapping global emerging issues and generate evidence; Coordinating global/continental existing and future platforms/fora addressing these issues; Promoting Private – Public Partnerships (PPP) in the livestock sector.
Article 5
Channel of Communication and Notice
For the purpose of facilitating the implementation of the activities carried out under this Annex 1, the channel of communication for the Parties shall be:
a) For (AU-IBAR) located at Kenindia Business Park, Museum Hill, Westlands Road.
P.o.box 30786 Nairobi 00100.
b) For (OIE) located at Taj Towers, Upper Hill Road, Upper-Hill
P.o.box 19687, Nairobi 00202.
Any notice, request or other communication regarding the implementation of the activities carried out under this Annex shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when it has been delivered by hand, mail, cable, telex or telefax,.
Annex 1 is an entire part of the Agreement. In witness whereof, AU-IBAR and the OIE, each acting through its duly authorised representative, have signed it in two originals in the English language.