• English
  • العربية
  • 中文
  • Français
  • Русский
  • Español

Rinderpest Freedom Celebration

News Article
20 September 2011

Rinderpest, also known as cattle plague, is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, buffalo, yak and several wildlife species, and has caused immense livestock losses throughout history. IAEA in collaboration with FAO, OIE and other partners supported its Member States for more than 25 years to control and eradicate the disease.

In early 2011 the FAO and OIE officially declared the disease eradicated from the world. This significant and memorable event was marked by the IAEA at a special celebration at the General Conference.

Among the 150 observers there were more than 50 Ministers and Ambassadors from the different Member States, and also dignitaries from FAO, OIE, AU, EU have attended the event.

The Rinderpest Freedom Celebration was hosted by the Deputy Director General of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Mr Daud Mohamad.

The Director General of the IAEA, Mr Yukiya Amano, the Deputy Director General of FAO, Ms Ann Tutwiler, the Deputy Director General of OIE, Mr Kazuaki Miyagishima, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Kenya, HE Ms Margaret Kamar, the Director of the African Union IBAR, Mr Ahmed El-Sawalhy, the Ambassador of Italy, HE Mr Gianni Ghisi and the Ambassador of Kenya, HE Mr Dinkar Khullar made presentations on the achievement and the socio-economic impact that the absence of rinderpest brought to the world.

Stay in touch

Newsletter