VN May 2022

Vetnews | Mei 2022 13 In 1863, Dr J. Gamgee convened the first International Veterinary Congress. This initiative ultimately grew into the World Veterinary Association (WVA) as it is known today: a global association that represents over 500.000 veterinarians worldwide through its 95 member associations. The WVA continues to build on Dr Gamgee’s ambition to unite veterinarians from around the world to share experiences, exchange ideas, and to unify for the advancement of the veterinary profession. The WVA defends the interest of its member organisations and their general body members and holds the need for international consonance in veterinary medicine to be self-evident. Disease control and prevention, food safety and security, animal welfare, the availability of medicinal products, and the ecological impact of human and animal health systems are all issues that necessitate a global approach. Through the promotion and practice of the One Health concept, the WVA strives to protect the health and welfare of humans, animals, and the environment. The WVA partners with relevant organisations and authorities to offer advocacy, support, and education on global veterinary issues. In the World Veterinary Associations Strategic plan for 2020 to 2025, theWVA prioritised four core issues • Animal Welfare • One Health • Veterinary Education • Pharmaceutical Stewardship These issues are underpinned by the WVA Core Values, namely Knowledge, Community, Nimbleness, Transparency and Respect. At this year’s Congress in Abu Dhabi, it was clear that the global pandemic changed the way congresses will look in future. Veterinarians and para-veterinarians tentatively braved this new world under strict Covid prevention protocols that included being vaccinated, a negative PCR test (done in the UAE and loaded on an App for entrance to all places of social gatherings, including restaurants, bars and the convention centre) and the wearing of face masks where indoors. Numerous international guests and speakers attended; it was opened by the President of the Emirati Veterinary Association, Dr Roula Shabaan. Eighty-four presenters represented twenty-four countries, with South Africa falling in the second-largest defined category. UAE with twenty-two, USA and South Africa with seven, UK with six, Egypt with 5, KSA with four, Italy, France, Canada and Belgium with three, and the rest of the represented countries with one or two. Dr Paul van die Merwe (President SAVA), and Dr Leon de Bruyn(Immediate Past President) attended the WVA Congress and General Assembly. One specific day the criteria for presenting papers in a lecture hall almost changed to having a South African Passport. The program was diverse, and presentations were run in parallel streams of Companion Animals, Food Production Animals, Equids and Camelids, Wildlife Conservation, One Health, Update Technologies, Food Safety – Public Health, Veterinary Innovation and Technologies, Antimicrobial resistance and Zoonootic Diseases Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions and the uncertainty of how these events will be attended, very few exhibitors showcased their goods and services. v WorldVeterinary Association Congress and General Assembly 2022 - Abu Dhabi Opening ceremony Dr Leon de Bruyn, Dr Paul van der Merwe