World Organisation for Animal Health
The animal welfare strategy for Asia-Pacific represents a milestone initiative, being the first regional animal welfare strategy issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as the OIE).
The Regional Animal Welfare Strategy (RAWS) was endorsed by the WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific in 2008. It recognises and supports the ongoing efforts of governments, industries, and organisations to advance animal welfare and foster sustainable production systems.
The development and implementation of the animal welfare strategy for Asia-Pacific has been significantly supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS). Designed to foster a more consistent and effective animal welfare system, a core goal of the AAWS is to ensure active engagement in international partnerships to elevate animal care standards worldwide.
In close collaboration with WOAH, Australia has provided vital leadership and funding to drive this regional strategy forward. To formalise management, the Director General of WOAH (formerly the OIE) established the RAWS Coordination Group (RAWS CG) in April 2010. Its initial membership comprised regional representatives, industry stakeholders, and international animal welfare non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Chaired by Dr Gardner Murray, the RAWS CG held its inaugural meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, on 28–29 April 2010. Since its inception, the RAWS CG has advanced numerous strategic recommendations through WOAH Headquarters in Paris for formal endorsement by the Regional Commission.
The RAWS Coordination Group was replaced by the RAWS Advisory Group (RAWS AG). Since taking over management, the Advisory Group has successfully implemented the targeted activities established under the regional action plans.
The RAWS AG works towards the shared vision of the strategy, set out above under Our aim and vision.
The RAWS AG drives the regional implementation of the WOAH Global Animal Welfare Strategy, ensuring it remains up to date.
Purpose To support the implementation of the WOAH animal welfare strategy for Asia-Pacific and ensure it remains up to date and relevant.
Modus Operandi The RAWS AG works with WOAH Members, the WOAH Collaborating Centre for Animal Welfare and Bioethical Analysis in the region, and regional (as well as global) partners to form specific collaborations for each agreed activity. Special activities are funded by agreement from contributing RAWS AG and WOAH Members, and parties involved with the activities.
Administrative Support and Logistics The RAWS AG Secretariat is provided by the WOAH Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific (Tokyo, Japan) and works closely with the Chair in organising and reporting on meetings and in carrying out a range of RAWS functions including monitoring progress against RAWS, coordination of activities and sharing information, preparation of RAWS Newsletters, updating the RAWS website, and other related administrative tasks.
The RAWS AG meets virtually four times a year and communicates via email and teleconference as necessary. Any face-to-face meeting will be subject to funding availability (self-funded or otherwise) or held in conjunction with other opportunities (e.g. WOAH Focal Point trainings, Regional Commission conferences).
A Chair is appointed by vote (during the WOAH Regional Commission meeting in line with the WOAH voting cycle) for a three-year term, renewable for one additional term. The Regional Commission will vote for the Chair from nominated candidates who may be WOAH Delegates or Animal Welfare Focal Points from the Asia-Pacific region.
WOAH Member Representatives of the RAWS AG are nominated by Delegates of WOAH Members via application to the RAWS AG Chair, with the final list of AG members endorsed by the President of the Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Advisory Group members serve a term of three years aligned with the WOAH election cycle, with no limit on the number of terms.
Partner Organisation Representatives and Experts are nominated by the highest authority in their organisation to the RAWS AG Chair. The Chair will consider the expertise required to undertake the current Strategy and Action Plan and select the appropriate representatives and experts from the nominations. Vacancies may not necessarily be filled by the same organisation, or may not be filled, depending on the current requirements for expertise.
The Chair, the WOAH Member Representatives, and the Partner Organisation Representatives and Experts are termed Members.
The RAWS Edition 3 (2025–2030) builds on the success of earlier editions, which have guided WOAH Members on future animal welfare improvements since 2008. This updated strategy aims to facilitate the implementation of WOAH Standards for animal welfare, provide a coordination framework for regional activities, and address emerging issues by encouraging cooperative partnerships between governments, industry and animal welfare organisations.
Furthermore, it recognises the ongoing efforts of regional stakeholders to protect animals and develop sustainable production systems.
Purpose RAWS Edition 3 provides direction for the development of local action plans, allowing regional WOAH Members to implement international standards while accounting for their unique local landscapes, ecosystems and climates.
It also delivers a clear roadmap for future policy development using a consultative regional approach, facilitates the establishment of priorities aligned with agreed strategic goals, and creates a collaborative framework for WOAH Members, non-WOAH members and wider stakeholders to advance animal welfare across the region.
The RAWS Third Action Plan was established to support the comprehensive implementation of the RAWS for Asia-Pacific. The blueprint was developed following the formal reinstatement of the RAWS AG in November 2022.
Strategic foundations
This Third Action Plan directly addresses the evolving needs of WOAH Members within the Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Its development incorporates:
By building upon past achievements, the plan successfully addresses outstanding gaps and updates regional activities to align with current priorities, knowledge and resources.
Intended impact
The primary objective of this Action Plan is to achieve enhanced animal welfare alongside ongoing progress and socio-economic development across the region. This is driven by a strict focus on three operational pillars:
A collaborative framework
Formulated by the RAWS AG, this Action Plan serves as a vital mechanism to foster collaboration between regional WOAH Members and animal welfare stakeholders. By uniting partners under a common vision, the group coordinates and supports the practical execution of all activities detailed within the plan.
RAWS Editions 1, 2 and 3
Meeting Reports
WOAH maintains a network of Collaborating Centres for the purposes of providing scientific expertise and support to WOAH and its Members, and for promoting international collaboration on animal health and welfare. Collaborating Centres are designated for a specific specialty within a focus area relating to the management of general questions on animal health issues. In their designated specialties, they must provide their expertise internationally (see WOAH Terms of Reference and Internal Rules for Collaborating Centres).
WOAH Collaborating Centres for Animal Welfare Science and Bioethical Analysis: the David Bayvel Consortium comprises:
Ministry for Primary Industries (New Zealand)
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)
Associates
WOAH Collaborating Centres for Animal Welfare Science and Bioethical Analysis: the David Bayvel Consortium for Asia and the Pacific region (a PowerPoint presentation), Open the presentation.
