Egypt to host 2026 REMESA meeting amid rising regional influence in animal health

Egypt will host the 33rd Mediterranean Animal Health Network (REMESA) in Cairo in December 2026, highlighting its growing leadership in regional animal health policy and food security following successful disease containment efforts.

Egypt is to host the 33rd meeting of the Mediterranean Animal Health Network, known as REMESA, in Cairo in December 2026, a move that underlines the country’s growing weight in regional animal health policy and food security. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the gathering will bring together senior veterinary officials and representatives of international and regional bodies, with support from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Cairo’s selection was confirmed at REMESA’s 32nd meeting in Cyprus in June 2026. That followed a separate decision in Malta in December 2025, when Egypt was elected to co-preside over the network for 2026 and asked to host its annual conference the following year.

The ministry said the meeting reflects confidence in Egypt’s veterinary institutions, particularly after its response to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease linked to the SAT1 strain in 2025. Officials have highlighted early detection, rapid intervention and extensive vaccination as key to containing the disease.

Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk said the conference would strengthen Egypt’s role as a regional centre for coordination in animal health. Veterinary chief Hamed Al-Aknous said the authority was preparing technical and logistical arrangements to showcase Egypt’s experience and deepen cooperation on diagnostics, surveillance, vaccine development and crisis management.

The agenda is expected to focus on foot-and-mouth disease, peste des petits ruminants, vector-borne diseases, early-warning systems and the One Health approach.