World Assembly
The World Assembly of 183 Delegates is the highest authority of the World Organisation for Animal Health.
It comprises the Delegates of all Members and meets at least once a year. The General Session of the Assembly lasts five days and is held every year in May in Paris. Voting by Delegates within the Assembly respects the democratic principle of ‘one country, one vote’.

The main functions of the Assembly are:
To adopt international standards
in the field of animal health, especially for international trade.
To elect the members
of the governing bodies of WOAH (President and Vice-President of the Assembly, members of the Council and of the Regional Commissions), as well as the members of the Specialist Commissions.
To appoint
the Director General of WOAH.
To examine and approve
the annual report of activities and the financial report of the Director General and the annual budget of the Organisation.
Annual General Session
During the General Session, two technical items of general interest are dealt by speakers chosen for their specialist knowledge, and the animal health situation worldwide is presented in summary form with additional information provided by each Member Country. Delegates have an opportunity to meet in their respective Regional Commissions to discuss problems of common interest.
The work of the World Assembly of Delegates is prepared by the Council, which consists of nine Delegates and meets under the chairmanship of the President of the Assembly each year, at least , in February and May.

90th General Session
The 90th Annual General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the World Organisation for Animal Health took place on Sunday 21 to Thursday 25 May 2023, face-to-face in Paris.
During this important institutional event, the World Assembly adopted administrative and technical resolutions as well as proceeded to elections for vacancies in some of the governing bodies of the Organisation.
Old General Sessions
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Global Events, General session
90th General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates