Sunday 21 April 2024 was a day of celebration at the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA).

The distinguished guest of the President of the Republic arrived at the National Veterinary Laboratory, Yaoundé Annex. QU DONGYU, accompanied by a large delegation, arrived at the Mvog-Bétsi district at around 10am, where Dr Taïga, assisted by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, was waiting for him.

The ceremony took place in three stages. First, a welcome from MINEPIA, who gave a brief presentation of his department to the illustrious visitor. LANAVET and its two annexes (Yaoundé and Douala) were unveiled to the FAO Director-General. He was also reminded of the multifaceted support MINEPIA receives from the UN agency. Next, MINEPIA’s guest of the day visited the National Veterinary Laboratory under the guidance of Dr Taïga and the Director General of LANAVET, Abel Wade. It should be remembered that the FAO is providing Cameroon with a great deal of support in the fight against animal diseases, particularly in the development of strategic and operational plans.

The final stage of the visit was the exchange of gifts. The UN official received a symbolic gift from MINEPIA, in particular a “TOGHU”, a traditional royal garment from the north-west region of Cameroon, making QU BONGYU a “notable” figure in Cameroon’s livestock industry. In turn, Dr TAIGA received a glass board from the Director-General of the FAO, with a few words in Korean written on it.