World Veterinary Day promotes sustainable development

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The theme of World Veterinary Day 2018, which falls on April 28, is "The role of the veterinary profession in sustainable development to improve livelihoods, food security, and safety."

The World Veterinary Association created World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession, falling on the last Saturday of April. Each year, the WVA and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) choose a theme.

Among its recent efforts in food security, the AVMA hosted the Global Food Security Summit, Feb. 9-11, 2017, in Washington, D.C. More than a hundred people attended, including representatives from humanitarian and intergovernmental organizations involved with food development. The AVMA Committee on International Veterinary Affairs is developing recommendations for future action by the AVMA to continue the Association's involvement in global food security.

The WVA and OIE confer the World Veterinary Day Award for the best contribution on the annual theme by a WVA member association working alone or with other veterinary groups.

In 2017, the theme of World Veterinary Day was "Antimicrobial Resistance—From Awareness to Action." The National Council of the Order of Veterinarians of France won the 2017 World Veterinary Day Award for extensive contributions in this area revolving around participation in France's plan to reduce the risks of antimicrobial use in veterinary medicine.

Details about World Veterinary Day and the World Veterinary Day Award are available at www.worldvet.org.

Related JAVMA content:

AVMA weighs stepped-up role in global food security (April 15, 2017)

World Veterinary Day promotes action on antimicrobial resistance (April 1, 2017)