Members of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) are obligated to assign a representative, designated as a Delegate. A Delegate is appointed by the government, and is most frequently the Member’s Chief Veterinary Officer (the head of a veterinary authority, responsible for animal health, protection, food chain safety, and the role of animals in society).
The World Assembly of Delegates is the highest authority of the World Organisation for Animal Health, comprising all Delegates of our Members and meeting at least once a year. Delegates hold the obligation to notify animal diseases present in their jurisdiction and should ensure that organisational standards, guidelines and resolutions are duly implemented. Delegates are also responsible for bringing disease information and WOAH Standards and guidelines to the attention of their governments and all related public and private stakeholders. All organisational activities in a jurisdiction are channelled or implemented through the consent of the Delegate.
