In cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia and the “Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO, and with the support of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, World Veterinary Day was celebrated in Armenia on April 26.

The conference, entitled “Veterinarians as Guarantors of Public Health and Food Safety,” was attended by the RA Minister of Economy, Gevorg Papoyan, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia and Deputy Regional Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in the South Caucasus, Ursula Läubli, sectoral officials from executive authorities, representatives of the  MAVETA project partner VET institutions and private sector.

Congratulating veterinarians on their professional day, Minister Gevorg Papoyan emphasized that their work is vital not only for maintaining animal health but also for safeguarding public health and food security: “Without veterinary medicine, the country’s economy simply cannot develop. Your role is crucial for our nation,” the Minister noted.

Mrs. Ursula Läubli highlighted in her remarks that the SDC’s strategic goal is to promote work-based learning in vocational education, applying best practices to the development of agricultural professions, including veterinary medicine. “We are pleased to see the high level of commitment demonstrated by our state partners, culminating in the adoption of the new Law on Vocational Education last year with MAVETA’s support. This is a significant step toward improving vocational education in Armenia,” stated Ursula Läubli.

In his speech, Mkrtich Ayvazyan, Chairman of the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO, emphasized the importance of long-term support from international partners, particularly the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Austrian Development Agency, in implementing livestock breeding and veterinary development projects. “About 100 community veterinary points have been established, serving more than 200 settlements,” he noted.

The MAVETA project aims to modernize the sector and support a generational shift. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, a dual veterinary program has been introduced in five colleges through a dual education system. Currently, more than 120 students are enrolled in dual education programs and are beginning to join the workforce as veterinarians.

Leading representatives of the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD) delivered video messages congratulating their Armenian colleagues.

Following this, conference participants were presented with an overview of the projects implemented, as well as the challenges and achievements in the field of veterinary medicine.

Mikael Haykuni, Animal Health and Breeding specialist at the SDA NGO, presented the progject interventions implemented by the organization to improve veterinary and artificial insemination services for cows.

A group of veterinarians and epidemiologists were awarded certificates of appreciation, honors, and souvenirs.

RA Minister of Economy, Gevorg Papoyan, also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Mkrtich Ayvazyan, Chairman of the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO, for the contributions to the development of the veterinary sector.

The MAVETA project is funded by a broad coalition of international and local organizations led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the Austrian Development Agency, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Government of Armenia, the HEKS/EPER  NGO, Izmirlian Foundation, the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and Vanand Agro CJSC.

 The project’s implementing partners are the GIZ and HEKS/EPER with the involvement of SDA and the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (HAFL).