Dubai: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), has hosted the Fourth Veterinary Medicine Scientific Forum under the theme ‘One Health Approach for Sustainability’. The two-day event aimed to explore ways to sustainably improve animal health and maximise its contribution to food security, aligning with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability.
The forum was attended by over 150 participants, including representatives from the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, local authorities in the UAE, the Emirates Racing Authority, international and local private sector companies, and representatives of various health and veterinary authorities from countries in the region.
The two-day forum was attended by Mr. Essa Al Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector and Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Mohamed Ali Al Hosani, Representative of the WOAH Sub-Regional Office in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Marco Tibbo, Representative of the Regional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and Yemen for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in the UAE, and Dr. Arvi Lee Wellingham, Head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at the United Arab Emirates University.
The forum focused on the WHO Global Strategy to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance and strengthen countries’ capacities for the optimal implementation of national action plans (NAPs) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The speakers explored methods and solutions for sustainably improving animal health, thereby enhancing animal wealth and maximising its contribution to food security.
The event is part of the UAE’s efforts to promote sustainability and align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the forum contributes to SDG 3 on good health and well-being and SDG 15 on life on land.