Statia leads Caribbean veterinary collaboration as host of historic regional health summit
Residents of Statia and the wider Caribbean stand to benefit from strengthened veterinary and public health networks after the island hosted a landmark regional conference. The event united experts to tackle shared challenges like disease control and disaster preparedness, directly impacting food safety and economic stability.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 7th CaribVET General Assembly & 26th CCCVO Meeting |
| Host | Statia Government |
| Dates | March 23–27, 2026 |
| Theme | Resilience through Partnership, Coordination, and Preparedness |
| Participants | Veterinary professionals, policymakers, public health experts |
| Organisations Involved | CARICOM, WOAH, FAO, IICA, USDA, CAHFSA, Caribbean Poultry Association |
| Key Approach | One Health (human, animal, environmental health) |
| Workshops | Emergency Response (IICA), Biosecurity (CPA) |
| Statia’s Role | First Dutch Caribbean island to host the event |
The Government of Statia plays a key role in regional public health initiatives, particularly in coordinating veterinary and animal welfare policies. As part of the Dutch Caribbean, it collaborates with international bodies to strengthen disease prevention and emergency response frameworks.
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Statia becomes first Dutch Caribbean Island to host CaribVET General Assembly and CCCVO Meeting
Statia has achieved a regional milestone by becoming the first Dutch Caribbean island to host the Caribbean’s premier veterinary and public health gatherings. The Statia Government hosted the 7th CaribVET General Assembly and the 26th Caribbean Community Chief Veterinary Officers (CCCVO) Meeting from March 23–27, 2026.
The week-long event brought together veterinary professionals, policymakers, and public health experts from across the region. Under the theme “Resilience through Partnership, Coordination, and Preparedness,” the programme included representatives from environmental agencies, disaster response teams, and regional organisations such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Caribbean Animal Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA).
“Resilience is not built in isolation; it is built together,” stated Dr Sharon Veira, Veterinary Officer for Statia and President of CaribVET. “Statia stands at the centre of a regional effort focused on collaboration and shared purpose.”
In alignment with the conference's objectives, discussions were guided by the One Health approach, which recognises the critical link between human, animal, and environmental health. The programme featured high-level strategic sessions alongside practical workshops, such as the IICA workshop on Emergency Response and a specialised webinar on biosecurity hosted by the Caribbean Poultry Association (CPA).
Island Governor Alida Francis emphasised the significance of the gathering for the region’s future: “You are here, from across borders and languages, choosing partnership, preparedness, and coordination. In doing so, you help safeguard the health and resilience of our region.”
The Statia Government extended its gratitude to all delegates, partners, and organisations for their participation in these vital sessions, wishing them continued success in their efforts to protect the Caribbean’s primary health and economic interests.