Rome, Italy - Flanked by heads of state, international dignitaries and entertainers, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf will unveil a plaque to celebrate global freedom from rinderpest or cattle plague, one of the deadliest animal diseases and a longtime threat to human livelihoods and food security. The global eradication of rinderpest, led by FAO and its partners, makes the virus the first animal disease to be eliminated from its natural setting, thanks to human efforts. It is only the second disease of any kind to be eradicated, after smallpox in humans.

Those attending the celebration will include President Idriss Déby Itno of Chad; President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo; Vice-President Dr. Isatou Njie of Gambia; high-level representatives of Italy and other member countries; the Mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno; the Director-General of the World Organisation for Animal Health, Bernard Vallat, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and Nobel laureate and veterinarian Peter Doherty. FAO Goodwill Ambassadors Pierre Cardin, Mory Kanté and Anggun will also take part in this commemorative event.

The celebration will take place 25 June, the opening day of the 37th biennial FAO Conference, the meeting of the highest governing body of the Organization, which will formally recognize global freedom from rinderpest the following week.

Pana 24/06/2011