The Collaborating Centres of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) are centres of excellence designated in a specific area of expertise. They provide high-value technical and scientific assistance to WOAH and its Member Countries, making their expertise and specialists available.

In 1997, the Institute received a prestigious scientific recognition by becoming a WOAH Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology and the Organisation of Veterinary Services in Developing Countries. In 2004, its scope was expanded, and it was designated as a Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Training, Epidemiology, Food Safety, and Animal Welfare. In 2020, the Collaborating Centre was replaced by the creation of four distinct WOAH Collaborating Centres, including the WOAH Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology, Modelling and Surveillance.

The mandate of WOAH Collaborating Centres is as follows:

• Provide services to WOAH within their area of expertise and in compliance with the organisation’s regulations. If requested, support Reference Laboratories.
• Propose and develop methods and procedures to harmonise international standards and guidelines applicable to their field of expertise.
• Conduct and/or coordinate scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other Centres, Laboratories, or Organisations.
• Collect, process, analyse, publish, and disseminate data and information in their specific area of expertise.
• Provide, within their recognised competencies, scientific and technical training to personnel from institutions in WOAH Member Countries.
• Organise and participate in scientific meetings and other activities on behalf of WOAH.
• Identify and support the development of expertise, with particular attention to their respective region.
• Establish and maintain a network with other Collaborating Centres in the same field and, where relevant, with Centres in other disciplines.
• Make their experts available to WOAH for consultancy services if required.