The Africa Union Commission and the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (US-DTRA) are pleased to announce the ground-breaking ceremony for the new laboratory complex of the Africa Union Pan Veterinary Vaccine Centre (AU-PANVAC). The ceremony is scheduled to take place on the 21st of February 2024 at 09:00, in Bishoftu, Ethiopia.

The upcoming groundbreaking event marks a pivotal moment in AU-PANVAC's journey as it embarks on the construction of a New Laboratory Complex, with the full support of the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (US-DTRA). This state-of-the-art facility will not only align with international standards on biosafety and biosecurity but will also empower the Center to fulfil its mandate more effectively.

About AU-PANVAC:

The AU-PANVAC, was established as a Specialized Technical Office (STO) of the AUC based in Ethiopia, following the Headquarters Agreement signed on the 8^th July 2003 between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the African Union, during the AU summit held in Maputo, Mozambique. The Center is at the forefront of the fight against animal diseases as well as zoonotic diseases with its mission to “Promote the use of good quality vaccines and reagents for the control and eradication of animal diseases in Africa”.

The centre was officially launched in 2004 as African Union Specialized Technical Office, and this year marks the 20^th anniversary of its operationalization within African Union Commission.

Members of the press are invited to attend and cover this historic event on Wednesday 21 February 2024 in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Interviews with key stakeholders will be facilitated and visuals of the ground-breaking will be provided.

Event Sponsors:

The ground-breaking event is sponsored by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (US-DTRA) and AU-PANVAC.

We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with the community and media representatives.

For media enquiry please contact:

Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Communication Adviser, AU Permanent Observer Mission to the UN | Email: yamboue@africa-union.org | Tel: WhatsApp, +13478127195

Molalet Tsedeke| Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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