On May 11th, 2022, during a “ONE WORLD – ONE HEALTH” event dedicated to the eminent Prof. Dr. Nikola Belev in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria with more than 150 attendees from national and international institutions and organizations, the presentation of the biographic book “PATRIARCH OF THE VETERINARY MEDICAL PROFESSION”, was carried out by the Trakia University – Stara Zagora and the Veterinary Medical Faculty.
The authors of the book “Prof. Dr. Nikola Belev – Patriarch of the veterinary profession” focus on the most important moments of his life path, which have a significant influence on his development and formation as a bright and iconic person. Around 50 specialists, scientists and heads of national and international institutions and organizations who have worked with and contacted Prof. Dr. Belev over 50 years, agree in assessments of him as of an inspiring person with organizational talent and with great contribution to raising and promoting the prestige of OIE among member states and other international organizations.
Dr Monique Eloit, Director-General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), in addition to having an important part in the book about Prof. Dr. Belev also sent a video message to Bulgaria. Dr. Eloit, as Director General of the OIE, acknowledged that Belev left an everlasting imprint in the organization’s nearly centenary history. She thanked the organizers for the commemorations in Belev’s honor, noting that he has been a member of the OIE’s highest bodies for 20 years – the Administrative Commission, the OIE Council, the president of the OIE Regional Commission for Europe and OIE Regional Representative for Eastern Europe for 25 years. “Belev played a key role in the establishment of OIE regional representations in Europe and supported the expansion of the organisation’s activities, especially in the European-Asian region, such as the Balkans, supporting a fruitful and permanent dialogue between OIE members in Europe and around the world. He encouraged young OIE colleagues and shared useful experiences for her organization, mandate and activities. Belev liked to say that OIE had become his home and family.”
Dr Budimir Plavšić, OIE Regional Representative for Europe, also contributed to the book and shared his personal memories of Prof. Belev. “For me, it is a great honor to speak and write about Dr Nikola Belev, a legendary veterinarian, a wonderful colleague, mentor, and friend of mine, who introduced me to the OIE galaxy 15 years ago. His charisma and work are intertwined in the OIE and Veterinary Services of Eastern European countries, their faculties and scientific establishment, but notably in the OIE standards, which he strongly promoted and insisted on their implementation for better animal health and welfare. It is my privilege and pride, to continue the work of Dr Nikola Belev in the strengthening of OIE network and national Veterinary Services, in the modern way, based on the structure he and other OIE leaders established for us and future veterinary generations.”
