Dear Delegate, dear OIE Collaborators,

Welcome to the multimedia environment created especially for you by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). In a few clicks you can find all the information and working documents you need to fulfil your duties as an official representative of your government (or focal point) to the OIE. It is important that all our Members share the political will to develop new prevention and control mechanisms and measures for animal diseases, including zoonoses, at the national, regional and global level.

Animal diseases still hinder free access for all to trade in animals and animal products. They also constitute a permanent public health risk in the case of zoonoses, including food-borne diseases, and to animal welfare. The substantial animal production losses they cause can increase poverty and food insecurity.

You have a crucial role to play in the OIE's standard-setting process and consequently in the OIE's worldwide impact: you contribute both to the content of the proposed standards and guidelines  and to their adoption for a worldwide implementation. At the same time, you also strongly contribute in your country, by influencing the implementation of veterinary regulations that are scientifically justified in terms of both animal health and welfare and public health. The document describing your rights and obligations is accessible for you to read.

I hope this tool will help you familiarise with the way our Organisation functions and I trust I can count on your commitment in achieving OIE's ambition "to improve animal health, veterinary public health and animal welfare worldwide".

Bernard Vallat
OIE Director General