WAN has long been supporting the work by the African Union Interafrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU IBAR)’s work in developing a continent-wide animal welfare strategy, and we’re pleased to announce that in January this strategy was formally endorsed by African heads of state. This is a huge step for animals, as Africa was the last continent without a formalized Regional Animal Welfare Strategy. Even better, the mission of Africa’s strategy envisions an “an Africa where animals are treated as sentient beings.”

We are pleased to announce the release of a new resource, Guidance for Animal Protection Organizations: Engaging the United Nations High Level Political Forum and the Sustainable Development Agenda, providing information on how animal protection organizations can engage the Sustainable Development Agenda at the United Nations. The Sustainable Development Agenda is a useful policy stream for animal protection organizations to become active in because of the many areas in which sustainable development intersects with animal wellbeing. The Sustainable Development Agenda, also called the 2030 Agenda, contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), each of which comprises Targets (what needs to be achieved for the goal to be fully implemented) and Indicators (how can that achievement be measured).

First, WAN would like to wish all those working to improve the lives of animals a happy and successful 2018! We’re honored to work with so many passionate and inspiring individuals and organizations across the world.