Africa sat underneath the great baobab tree, shaving shells and popping macadamia nuts in her mouth as the sun shone brightly on the beautiful landscape in the final season of a hard but productive year. She leaned back against the tree in comfort, knowing that, though challenging, she was doing all she could to ensure good welfare of her animals. Much had been said, much had been done. It was once again time to gather her people, this time, to map out concerted actions towards healthy and sustainable development in an effort to navigate the delicate balance of animal welfare, climate change and development.

Farm animals, domestic animals, companion animals, working animals, animals in science, and wild animals found within the continent of Africa were the subject of focus for the animal welfare, environment and wildlife conservation fraternity who gathered at the 7th Africa Animal Welfare Conference - Action 2023 from September 25 to 27, 2023 at Sainte Famille Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda. The conference was hosted by the Government of Rwanda, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Africa Union – InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW). With deep gratitude, the co-hosts acknowledge that many partner organization came on board to support the conference with financial, and technical resources.

This crucial annual event brought together 741 delegates from 38 countries across the world with 195 participating physically and 546 joining the proceedings online. The conference drew dignitaries, government leaders, global leaders in animal welfare and environment conservation, intergovernmental agencies, veterinary and animal health practitioners, researchers, academia, community representatives, and environmental practitioners. The event was formally opened and closed by Dr Olivier Kamana, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources of the Republic of Rwanda.

Following the grand success of the conference, gratitude is heartily given to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), African Union Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) the Rwandan Government through the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors (RCVD), and the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) as the co-hosting partners. Special thanks also to Animal People, Compassion in World Farming, Animal Welfare Institute (CIWF), Plants-4-Hunger, World Animal Protection, The Society for The Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA), Welttiershutz-stiftung (WTS), The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife- Giraffe Centre (AFEW), and The Donkey Sanctuary for making the conference possible through their financial support.

We appreciate all the delegates, represented media houses, Sainte Famille Hotel and all stakeholders that worked together to achieve this success.