Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agricultural Health

The World Organisation for Animal Health, a key organization for global food security, could have its first Latin American Director General

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

Argentine veterinarian Luis Barcos was presented by the Argentine government as a candidate to head the organization, with regional support. The election will be carried out by the delegates of the countries next May.

Luis Barcos tiene una amplia experiencia en el campo de la sanidad animal, ya que es desde hace 20 años el Representante Regional para las Américas en la OMSA. En Berlín, compartió encuentros con el Director General del IICA, Manuel Otero, con quien intercambió ideas e información en torno a la realización de una reunión regional sobre salud animal.

San Jose, 26 January 2024 (IICA) – The Argentine veterinarian Luis Barcos could become the first Latin American to direct the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), an entity founded in 1924 and based in Paris.

Barcos has extensive experience in the field of animal health, having been the Regional Representative for the Americas at WOAH for 20 years, and was presented by the Argentine government as a candidate to head the organization, with regional support. The election will be carried out by the delegates of the countries next May.

“I want to be the Director General of this organization because I am convinced that I can make a significant contribution to achieving its objectives, which are to facilitate trade and increase solidarity between countries”, Barcos explained when participating in the Green Week, which included the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, a prestigious conference organized by the German government in which the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) participated along with a group of ministers from the region.
 
“This is about helping the countries that need to improve the capabilities of their veterinary services for the prevention, control and treatment of diseases. This facilitates safe trade with an integrated vision, which considers the diversity of production systems and the social, economic and cultural diversity of the countries”, he pointed out.
 
Animal diseases pose a threat to food security and economic growth, which is why the world community must address them in a coordinated manner, through the WOAH.
 
The organization and its members jointly coordinate the global response to animal health emergencies, the prevention and control of animal diseases, including zoonoses, the promotion of animal health and welfare, and the improvement of access to sanitary services.
 
The mission and vision of WOAH is to provide leadership in global health governance.
 
In Berlin, Barcos met with the Director General of IICA, Manuel Otero, with whom he exchanged ideas and information regarding the organization of a regional meeting on animal health.
 
Within the framework of the decisions adopted at the last meeting of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas, the Director General of IICA, together with the Government of Paraguay, has the mandate to hold this regional summit on animal health in April, where they will ratify their support for Barcos’ candidacy.
 
Different realities
 
Barcos stated that the realities of different countries require different responses.
 
“The situation of the countries in Africa, America, Asia and the Middle East is totally different in terms of production. Some countries are intrinsic exporters or wish to become exporters, whereas other countries do not. Within exporting countries there are producers who cater to the local market or their neighbors, and the standards that are developed must take these realities into account. One cannot make rules that are restrictive of trade or that harm developing countries, which are the majority of countries in the world”, he explained.
 
“Of course”, he continued, “science must be applied, to guarantee the safety of trade based on disease prevention and control. These are some of my goals if I am elected Director General”.
 
Barcos explained that the 183 member countries of the WOAH will vote in the election and that his candidacy is supported by all Latin American countries.
 
The expert also revealed that in Berlin he held very positive conversations with African delegates. “They view very favorably the possibility of an alternation, after 100 years in which the Director General Director of this organization has always been French. We have even spoken with countries in Europe and Asia that were really surprised by this candidacy. Some even believed that the Director General always had to be French. This is not the case: he or she can be from any country in the world, and I do hope that all the countries in the world will support me”, he stated.

 

More information:
Institutional Communication Division.
comunicacion.institucional@iica.int

Share

Related news​

San José, Costa Rica

July 3, 2025

IICA promotes environmental education in the classroom with its handover of the first Urban Productive Garden in Costa Rica

Officers of IICA’s Community Outreach Association, APC, handed over tools and guides to the “República de Paraguay” school, for the purpose of establishing a productive garden.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Manuel Otero, Director General del IICA; José Emilio Guerrero, profesor de la UCO de España; Rosa Gallardo, Directora de la Cátedra de Inteligencia Artificial y Agricultura del mismo centro académico; Carlos Alzate, experto en IA y CEO de AI Fund; Gloria Abraham, Carlos Gustavo Cano Sanz, Eduardo Trigo, y Martín Piñeiro, miembros del Consejo Asesor para la Transformación de los Sistemas Agroalimentarios del Instituto; y Jorge Werthein, Asesor Especial del Director General del IICA.

San José, Costa Rica

July 3, 2025

Artificial intelligence represents a revolution with great potential for agriculture, experts say during IICA’s Advisory Council session on Agri-food Systems Transformation

During the discussion, participants emphasized the need for the integration of AI to be an inclusive process, with special attention given to small-scale and family farmers. It was also stressed that AI should not be seen as an end in itself, but rather as a means to transform agriculture with a focus on value chains.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San José, Costa Rica

July 1, 2025

Carbon markets offer an extraordinary opportunity for sustainable livestock farming in Latin America, and collective action is essential to seize it, say public and private sector experts during seminar at IICA

During the seminar, which featured various presentation and discussion panels, participants explored the nature of carbon markets, financing alternatives for carbon capture projects in livestock farming, and the current regional context. They also shared methodologies and ideas to unlock their full potential through concrete steps.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins