On World Veterinary Day 2025, the Committee for Food Security under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan inaugurated a new state-of-the-art veterinary clinic in Dushanbe. The opening ceremony marked a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to strengthen its veterinary infrastructure and improve animal health services nationwide.
The event was attended by representatives from national veterinary universities, professionals from the public and private veterinary sectors, and honoured veterans who have dedicated their lives to advancing animal health in Tajikistan.
During the ceremony, speakers highlighted the crucial role of veterinary services in protecting animal and public health, underscoring the importance of the One Health approach. The new clinic will offer modern diagnostic, treatment, and preventive services and will also serve as a practical training center for veterinary students and young professionals.
This initiative reflects Tajikistan’s ongoing commitment to enhancing veterinary capacity and promoting the well-being of animals, people, and the environment.
On World Veterinary Day, the leadership of the Veterinary Service of the Kyrgyz Republic and Dr Mereke Taitubayev, Head of the WOAH SRR for Central Asia, held a working meeting. Representatives from the central office and subordinate units of the Veterinary Service attended the meeting.
The parties discussed ways to deepen cooperation in the field of animal health control, emphasizing the importance of strengthening veterinary surveillance and maintaining a stable epizootic situation in the country. Special attention was given to the prevention of the spread of dangerous infectious diseases, as well as the improvement of interagency coordination and information exchange procedures.
As part of the event, Dr. Mereke Taitubayev presented a letter of appreciation to Mr. Yermek Tunkatarov, Chairman of the Association of Private Veterinarians of Kyrgyzstan. The award recognized his significant contribution to the development of the national veterinary system and his active support for enhancing regional cooperation.
Georgia strengthens veterinary governance on World Veterinary Day
Georgia’s National Food Agency marked World Veterinary Day with a major conference highlighting the vital role of veterinarians in animal and public health. A key announcement during the event, attended by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and representatives from Azerbaijan and Armenia, was the establishment of a national Veterinary Statutory Body. This initiative aims to align with WOAH international standards and strengthen the governance of the veterinary profession.
Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Apolon Kakabadze, reaffirmed the crucial role of veterinarians in animal health safety and public health and emphasised the empowering effect of the new regulatory body. Zurab Chekurashvili, Head of the National Food Agency and chair of the event, praised the positive impact of the profession, as evidenced by the decline in zoonotic diseases, and stressed the importance of the regulatory body in maintaining the quality of services.
WOAH’s Regional Representative for Europe, Dr Budimir Plavsic, commended Georgia’s progress and the establishment of the Veterinary Statutory Body in accordance with WOAH standards and recommendations, stressing the importance of robust Veterinary Services in disease control, public health and environmental protection, agriculture, food safety and raising awareness of the often-unseen contributions of veterinarians, in line with the theme “Animal Health Takes a Team”.
In a video message, WVA President John De Young echoed the collaborative theme, recognizing the invaluable contributions of the entire animal health team and citing the Veterinary Statutory Body as a crucial step in professionalizing the sector.
Dr Vasili Basiladze, Georgia’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and delegate to WOAH, gave a detailed Veterinary Statutory Body presentation outlining its operational plan and benefits for veterinarians and national disease prevention, food safety, and agricultural development. He also recognized both experienced and upcoming veterinarians.
The event concluded with the recognition of veterinarians and students. World Veterinary Day, established by the WVA, annually highlights the profession’s critical role in global health. WOAH’s involvement in Georgia’s celebration underscored this international significance and the importance of strong veterinary governance.
