Cyprus stands ready to play a leading role in upgrading the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou told WOAH President Emmanuelle Soubeyran during talks in Larnaca.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the WOAH Regional Commission for the Middle East conference hosted by Cyprus Veterinary Services.
Key points agreed
- Early reporting of animal diseases and unified scientific standards are critical
- Animal health directly affects public health and food security – especially with climate change pressures
- Global veterinary services suffer from staff and lab shortages
Minister Panayiotou stressed Cyprus is prepared to contribute its expertise and island-specific experience in:
- Technology upgrades
- Veterinary training and capacity building
- One Health integration (linking animal, human and environmental health)
Cyprus gains influence
Veterinary Services Director Christodoulos Pipis currently serves as Vice-Chair of WOAH’s Governance Review Committee, giving Cyprus direct input into the organisation’s reforms.
Both sides underlined the need for stronger collaboration between WOAH, WHO and FAO, plus stable long-term funding.
WOAH President Soubeyran invited Minister Panayiotou to the next strategic session in Paris (spring 2026) to present the organisation’s new roadmap.
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