PUTRAJAYA: The two-day Animal Welfare Forum 2026 here is a platform to strengthen governance, knowledge sharing and strategic collaboration between various stakeholders from home and abroad to improve animal welfare standards in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region.
In a statement today, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) said the two-day forum, which began today, was organised by the Veterinary Regulatory Division in strategic collaboration with A World of Good Initiative Inc.
“The forum brings together representatives of government agencies, academic institutions and international organisations to discuss current developments, new challenges and practical approaches to sustainably improving animal welfare.
“Among the main topics discussed are the importance of effective animal welfare governance, the implementation of animal welfare strategies in the Asia Pacific region, the One Welfare concept, community well-being, challenges in livestock welfare, poultry welfare and welfare in the aquaculture sector,” the statement said.
DVS said the forum also featured a line-up of speakers from home and abroad including experts from Australia, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Federation for Animals (WFA) as well as local and international higher education institutions.
According to the statement, the forum is in line with the aspirations of the Malaysian Animal Welfare Strategic Plan 2021–2030, which is expected to support continuous improvement efforts in the governance, compliance and implementation of animal welfare in the country through a strategic science, innovation and collaboration approach.
In the same statement, Veterinary Services director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Haron said animal welfare is no longer a side issue, but rather an important component in the development of a modern society based on the values of kindness, sustainability and shared responsibility.
He said the implementation of good animal welfare practices is closely linked to public health, food safety and security, environmental sustainability and community well-being in line with the One Health and One Welfare approach promoted internationally.
“In line with WOAH standards, good animal welfare practices not only improve animal welfare but also contribute to a more sustainable, productive and resilient food production system, especially as Malaysia continues to face high demand for animal-based protein sources,” he said.
Meanwhile, A World of Good Initiative Inc. chief executive officer Dr Michelle Sinclair said efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 required policymakers and stakeholders to be constantly exposed to the latest developments and best practices at the global level, in addition to the participation of international experts in the forum to assist in the development of science-based and evidence-based policies. – BERNAMA
