From 2 to 6 November 2026, the 28th Conference of the Regional Commission for the Americas of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) will be held in Asuncion, Paraguay. This in-person meeting will bring together delegates from the Organisation’s Members in the Americas, representatives of Veterinary Services, experts, strategic partners and regional organisations.
The Conference is jointly organised by WOAH and Paraguay’s National Animal Quality and Health Service (SENACSA), with the support of the National Government, as part of the country’s commitment to regional cooperation and to strengthening animal health.
The meeting is a space for technical dialogue and cooperation to analyse the main challenges in animal health, animal welfare and public health across the continent, as well as to set priorities and strengthen regional coordination.
A strategic region for animal health
The Americas Region is characterised by its diversity of ecosystems and production systems, and by its importance as one of the world’s leading food-producing regions and a reservoir of biodiversity.
The Region has 5 founding Members of WOAH, 35 Reference Laboratories and 24 Collaborating Centres, as well as a broad network of experts and specialised institutions.
The Conference will make it possible to share experiences, progress and challenges among countries, promoting cooperation and the exchange of scientific knowledge.
Main topics of the Conference
The issues at the centre of the discussions include:
among other health threats.
The Conference will also feature two central technical items.
The first will address the use of epidemiological models to support decision-making in Veterinary Services, including their application in preparedness and response for diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.
The second will examine the economic aspects of effective and sustainable animal health surveillance systems, with an emphasis on tools to assess the profitability and cost-benefit ratio of investments in disease surveillance, control and eradication.
Regional cooperation and investment in animal health
One of the central themes of the Conference will be the need to maintain and strengthen investment in Veterinary Services.
The progress achieved in the prevention, control and eradication of diseases requires human resources, infrastructure, technology and sustained funding to ensure its continuity and to respond to emerging and re-emerging threats.
In this context, WOAH promotes tools such as the PVS Pathway, which makes it possible to assess Veterinary Services on the basis of evidence, identify gaps and guide investment priorities.
Looking towards the new generations
The agenda also includes engagement with students and young professionals in the veterinary sciences.
The visit of the WOAH Director General to the University of Asuncion will highlight the role of the new generations of veterinarians, scientists and professionals involved in animal health.
Training, research, innovation and international cooperation are fundamental to building Veterinary Services that are prepared for the health challenges of the future.
A space for the Americas
The 28th Regional Conference will allow Members to exchange experiences, review progress and define common priorities, strengthening regional cooperation and the Americas’ contribution to the global governance of animal health.
