Inauguration of OIE Representation in Tunis

The OIE's Sub-Regional Representation for North Africa in Tunis was inaugurated on 26 January 2010. The ceremony was attended by the OIE's Director General, Dr Bernard Vallat, the Tunisian Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Abdessalem Mansour, numerous diplomatic representations stationed in Tunis, representatives from international organisations such as UMA, FAO and AU-IBAR, and the Director Generals of the Algerian, French, Italian, Libyan, Moroccan, Mauritanian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Tunisian Veterinary Services.

The Italian delegation also included Dr Rossella Lelli and Prof. Vincenzo Caporale, in his double role as President of the OIE Standards Commission and Director of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, in light of the agreement signed with the OIE last May by the Italian Ministry of Health and Istituto G. Caporale in support of OIE activities in North Africa.

The OIE Sub-Regional Representation for North Africa will be the driving force behind all OIE projects aimed at strengthening the Veterinary Services. Activities will include the implementation of the overall process called PVS (Performance of Veterinary Services), twinning projects with the existing research centres in the Mediterranean area, modernisation of veterinary legislation and the training of OIE Delegates and focal points.

The specific goal of the Sub-Regional Representation in Tunis will thus be to provide the area's Member Countries with specific services to strengthening surveillance and control of animal diseases and zoonoses.

Dr Antonio Petrini of Istituto G. Caporale was appointed as the Representation's Deputy Head.