NEWS · ANIMAL WELFARE
Recognised as a Conference Partner, the Association co-moderated all three days, presented its Strategic Plan approach to welfare and public health, and heard a continent call for moving from dialogue to action.
Veterinary Association of Zambia · 8 October 2026 · Golden Peacock Hotel, Lusaka
Lusaka, 8 October 2026 — The Veterinary Association of Zambia (VAZ) took part as a recognised Conference Partner in the 10th Africa Animal Welfare Conference (AAWC 2026), which closed on 7 October at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka. The three-day conference met under the theme “Dialogue to Action: Collaborative Implementation for Animal Welfare, Climate Adaptation and Sustainable Development in Africa.” It was co-hosted by the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and Working Animals International, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
VAZ at the conference
The Association was represented by its President, Dr Eugene Chisela Bwalya, the Treasurer, Dr Edwin Sianzinda, and the Secretary, Dr Catherine Mutale-Katampi. Dr Bwalya co-moderated the conference for all three days alongside Wachira Kariuki and Dr Dennis Bahati of ANAW. On Day 2 he presented VAZ’s paper, Advancing Animal Welfare and Public Health through Veterinary Leadership in Zambia. The paper showed how Priority Area 8 of the VAZ Strategic Plan 2026–2030 puts the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa into practice through rabies elimination and humane dog management, antimicrobial stewardship, welfare-competent professionals and student leadership, with a clear measure for each action.
VAZ’s partnership with ANAW began months earlier. It included a registration drive for the Zambian delegation, whose fees ANAW waived, student mobilisation, proposing Zambian speakers, and pressing for a panel on humane mass depopulation in disease outbreaks.
Three days, one message: from dialogue to action
The Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Charles Maseka, opened the conference on behalf of the Government. He said Zambia was proud to host the meeting and called for partnership and collaboration so that climate adaptation also benefits animals. Over three days, delegates from across Africa and beyond discussed climate-resilient and humane food systems, wildlife and biodiversity, welfare legislation, working animals and donkeys, humane disease control, and animal sentience under the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa.
The words heard most often were partnerships, collaboration, government commitment, laws, regulations and standards. VAZ notes that the next step needs equal attention: strategic plans with milestones and targets, implementation frameworks, budget commitments and sustainability plans. For Zambia, the clearest message was to move the Animal Welfare Bill to an Act.
“Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility. No single actor can deliver it alone — the path from dialogue to action runs through partnership.”— Dr Eugene Chisela Bwalya, VAZ President, at AAWC 2026
Closing and resolutions
On 7 October Wachira Kariuki of ANAW presented the conference resolutions. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Dr Max Choombe, gave the closing remarks. He was joined on the closing panel by Dr Charles Maseka; Prof James Nkansah-Obrempong, ANAW Board Chair; Mr Sam Whyte of Working Animals International; and Dr Maryanne Mwimali of Kenya’s Directorate of Veterinary Services. VAZ will share the resolutions with members as soon as the Conference Secretariat releases them.
What this means for members
- Animal welfare, working animals and humane disease control will feature more strongly in VAZ CPD and at the VAZ 2027 Conference.
- VAZ will offer its technical support to Government in moving the Animal Welfare Bill to an Act.
- Members working in welfare, rabies control, wildlife and food safety are encouraged to prepare abstracts for the 11th AAWC.
VAZ thanks ANAW, AU-IBAR, Working Animals International, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the sponsoring partners and every member and student who took part. Photographs and updates from the conference are on the ANAW and AAWC social media pages.
— ENDS —