FAO at World Veterinary Association Conference: Veterinarians are indispensable partners for food security and global health
At the 40th World Veterinary Association (WVA) Congress in Washington, DC, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) delivered a powerful message: Veterinarians are indispensable in the fight against hunger, zoonotic diseases, and climate-related health threats.
Held alongside the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention 2025, the event brought together global animal health experts to discuss pressing challenges—from pandemic preparedness to sustainable agriculture.
FAO’s Keynote: A Call to One Health Action
In his keynote address, FAO Assistant Director-General Thanawat Tiensin underscored the vital role of veterinarians in achieving food security and protecting public health.
"Veterinarians are at the heart of the world’s animal health and One Health vision," Tiensin declared. "You are the frontline defenders of food security, the protectors of animal health, the barrier against transboundary and zoonotic diseases, and the vital link between animal and human well-being."
He highlighted critical global threats, including:
Zoonotic disease outbreaks (e.g., avian flu, Nipah virus)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to overuse in livestock
Climate change impacts on animal health and food systems
Urbanization pressures disrupting traditional farming
Case Studies: Veterinarians Driving Change in Low-Income Countries
A standing-room-only session, "Call to One Health Action: The Evolving Role of Veterinarians in Global Health," showcased real-world impacts of veterinary interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Presented by FAO’s Madhur Dhingra, Amy Delgado, and Eric Brum, the discussion featured:
Success stories where veterinary programs prevented zoonotic outbreaks
Challenges in under-resourced regions, where animal health systems struggle with limited diagnostics, vaccines, and trained professionals
FAO-led initiatives strengthening veterinary capacity in countries like Bangladesh, Kenya, and Colombia
Sustainable Livestock Transformation: A Path Forward
At the 11th WVA Global Health Summit, Tiensin stressed the need for sustainable livestock production to meet the demands of a growing global population by 2050.
Key priorities include:
Adapting animal health practices to climate-resilient farming
Reducing antibiotic misuse in livestock to combat AMR
Enhancing early disease detection to prevent pandemics
Upcoming FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock
To accelerate progress, the FAO will host the 2nd Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation in Rome, 29 September – 1 October 2025.
The event will convene:
Policymakers
Farmers and industry leaders
Researchers and NGOs
Development agencies
Goal: Scale innovations for climate-smart, ethical, and efficient livestock systems.
Why This Matters
With 60% of human pathogens originating in animals, veterinarians are critical to pandemic prevention. The FAO’s push for One Health integration—linking animal, human, and environmental health—could reshape global food systems.
