The 78th general session of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) was opened in Paris on the 23rd May 2010.
After referring to the major contributions to human health, food safety, animal welfare, animal production and international trade, made by OIE over the past 90 years, OIE president, Dr Carlos Correa Messuti looked forward to the new and complex challenges humankind and the planet face today.
National, regional and global efforts for safeguarding health, animal welfare and food safety are much needed, he said and OIE will continue to focus on national Veterinary Services It is necessary to update countries’ veterinary legislation, build national scientific capacity and improve and harmonize veterinary education worldwide, supplementing it with ongoing training of veterinary professionals, Dr Carlos Correa Messuti told the audience.
As a part of the opening ceremony, WVA president Dr Tjeerd Jorna, had the pleasure to announce the winner of the 2010 World Veterinary Day Award.
This year the award - a joint OIE and WVA initiative - went to Lahore, Pakistan for their contribution to the celebration of World Veterinary Day. Because the Pakistan delegation had not arrived yet, the prize was given to Dr Itsuo Shimohira from the OIE regional representation for Asia and the Pacific, who will forward it to Pakistan later this week.
Pictured from left to right: Dr Carlos Correa Messuti, Dr Bernard Vallat, Dr Itsuo Shimohira, Dr Tjeerd Jorna
Read more about the World Veterinary Day celebration at the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, in Lahore ...
