OIE’s 1^st Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction

The OIE, in close collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), hosted its first Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction in Paris from 30 June to 2 July.

The 3-day conference focused on enhancing collaboration and on building a consensus for action to strengthen the ability of public and animal health systems to prevent, detect and respond to all biological threats whether they are deliberate, accidental or natural, in particular at the animal source of zoonosis.

Not only was the OIE’s Global Conference on ‪‎Biological Threat Reduction the first of its kind, but it also brought together key players from the ‪‎OIE, ‪‎WHO, ‪‎INTERPOL, ‪United Nations of Disarmament Affairs, Biological Weapons Convention, ‪‎FAO and national governments representatives from Health and Security/Defence Communities from more than 120 Countries.

Refer to OIE’s press release for more information about the first conference.

CFIA’s National Delegate to the OIE

The duties of the OIE Delegate for Canada include, but are not limited to:

• Representing Canada at the World Assembly of Delegates and voting on international standards, recommendations, and resolutions

• Notifying the OIE of animal diseases present in Canada

• Bringing the resolutions of the World Assembly to the attention of the Canadian government, and ensuring that, as far as possible, the resolution of the World Assembly are applied in Canada

• Providing scientific input into the development of international standards, and

• Designating national focal points for support in the fields of animal health information, wildlife diseases, veterinary medicinal products, animal production food safety, animal welfare, communications and laboratories

Visit the CFIA website for more information about its partnership with the OIE.

Canada’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Threat Reduction Program

Canada’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Threat Reduction Program is managed by Global Affairs Canada. It implements Canada’s commitments to the now 31-country Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (GP), which was launched in Canada in 2002. The GP aims to reduce the threat posed by the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons, materials and expertise. Canada will assume chairmanship of the GP again in 2018 as part of its G7 presidency.