STAR IDAZ approach to shape regional research strategies on climate change and animal health

STAR IDAZ IRC is working with two of its regional networks to contribute to stronger regional and international collaboration and to produce an evidence base to support future research investment and coordination action on the impact of climate change on terrestrial and aquatic animal health. STAR IDAZ IRC will bring together the regions to identify common priorities and opportunities for shared innovation, in order to support global collaboration and coordination of research strategies and funding. 

The European Network (convened through the SCAR Working Group on Animal Health and Welfare) and the Africa and Middle East Regional Network will both convene expert regional workshops in November 2026 to identify and prioritise research and innovation needs, following electronic consultations across the regions. 

The first workshop will be held on 12–13 November in Rome, Italy, led by the SCAR Working Group for Animal Health and Welfare, and will consider both animal health and welfare. A second workshop, focused on Africa and the Middle East, will take place on 24–26 November in Nairobi, Kenya, organised by STAR IDAZ IRC in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), will consider only terrestrial and aquatic animal health. 

Bringing together expertise from research, policy, funding and other stakeholder communities, the workshops will help validate, refine and prioritise research and innovation needs relating to climate change and terrestrial and aquatic animal health and welfare. They will seek to develop a shared understanding of the most important challenges and identify short- and long-term priorities to help guide future research, innovation and policy activities. 

The workshops will create greater consensus through the European animal health and welfare community and the Africa and Middle East animal health community on their understanding of the impact of climate change on animal health and welfare, enhance international and multidisciplinary collaboration, and improve alignment of research strategies and investments to support resilient, sustainable and climate-adapted livestock and aquaculture systems. As a global coordinator, STAR IDAZ IRC will bring together Europe and Africa and the Middle East to reach consensus on shared priorities and opportunities to contribute to stronger regional and global collaboration and provide an evidence base to support future research investment and coordinated action.

Together, the two workshops represent an important step towards developing coordinated regional research strategies while contributing to a broader international agenda on climate change and animal health and welfare.

Both workshops are by invitation only.