2021 Letter from the President

Dear IGA members,
 
On November 16th, the IGA held a virtual conference, “Goats of the World and World of Goats,” where the newly elected IGA Board of Directors was presented, and a new term in our association began.
 
The main goal of this new Board of Directors, similarly to the previous one, is to make IGA stronger, follow the IGA mission and vision, share knowledge, research, and experience, and promote prosperity around the world. The Regional Directors (RD), Country Representatives (CR), and all our members play a crucial role in accomplishing these objectives. During the last term (2016-2021), under the excellent leadership of Dr. Beth Miller, essential improvements were achieved, such as the increased international visibility of IGA and the website (https://www.iga-goatworld.com) being more dynamic and continuously updated. Additionally, the new strategic plan (2018-2030) and the guidelines to help when planning International or Regional Conferences (Conference planning information) were approved. I want to thank the committee members involved in those tasks, chaired by Dr. Davinia Sánchez and Dr. Lucia Sepe, who did excellent work. 

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The participation of IGA on international projects such as the FAO/OIE Global eradication of the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is remarkable.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic changed many things around the world. The 13th International Conference on Goats was postponed twice, which led to a Board of Directors’ term longer than the usual four years. Thankfully, the 13th ICG is finally scheduled for September 2022.
 
Even during the pandemic, we organized several Regional Conferences during the last term, such as 2017 World Goat Day, Iran; Asian Regional Conference on Goats, India (2018), and Nepal (2019), among other events promoted by the RD and CR. In 2017, the IGA Board of Directors met in Shijiazhuang, China, where we attended the National Symposium of Sheep and Goats, organized by Dr. Yingjie Zhang. I thank these wonderful hosts and organizers.
 
Despite the difficulties encountered due to the pandemic, the use of virtual tools was improved and became very useful to keep in touch and organize meetings like the recent IGA Virtual Conference “Goats of the world and world of goats emerging from the shadow of COVID-19” organized by Dr. Sándor Kukovics, with very valuable information and excellent presentations from our Regional Directors and Country Representatives. I again want to thank the organizers and speakers. The presentations are available on the IGA website for all members (https://www.iga-goatworld.com/conference-videos.html).
 
During this event, Dr. Chris Lu was given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Lu was IGA’s President from 2004-2008 and is a very active member of the Advisory Board.
 
The new date for the 13th International Conference on Goats in Eger, Hungary, is September 18-23, 2022. Dr. Sándor Kukovics leads the Organizing Committee, and the Scientific Committee chair is Dr. Lucia Sepe, which ensures the conference’s success. I encourage all of you to attend and submit your contributions. It will be an opportunity to learn about the latest critical scientific findings in goat science and to meet each other after a long period. In addition, the “2º Encuentro de representantes de la International Goat Association (IGA) en Latinoamérica”, is planned for May 22, 2022 during the Congress of the Latin American Association of Small Ruminant Specialists and South American Camelids (ALEPR&CS) in Valledupar, Cesar, Colombia. This event is led by Dr. Héctor Mario Andrade Montemayor, IGA Board member and ALEPR&CS president, and Clara Viviana Rúa Bustamante, Chair of the Local Organizing Committees and RD for South America.
 
In early 2022, we will hold an RD and CR committee meeting chaired by Dr. Yoko Tsukahara with the valuable assistance of Dr. Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, a member of the Advisory Board. I am looking forward to attending this meeting because we will receive crucial inputs from our network. The internationalization of our organization depends on you and your knowledge about the needs and diversity of your areas. The contribution of Regional Directors and Country Representatives is crucial to reaching our planned goals. During my term as President, IGA will encourage the promotion of more goat events, regional conferences, and the next International Conference. Please contact us at admin@iga-goatworld.com to learn how these events can receive IGA sponsorship.
 
The success of our organization depends on all our members. Your help is critical to improving the links between scientists, extensionists and farmers, and most importantly, goats. The President and Board of Directors are only a piece of the puzzle. For this reason, I kindly request all of you to help us improve our activities, promote the IGA in all the continents and countries, and send us information related to events in your areas, so that we can disseminate the information on our website and social media, and through our newsletters.
 
Finally, January 12th, 2022, is the 40th Anniversary of IGA, and during these 40 years, the association has increased in members and visibility. I want to thank the past Presidents for their hard work and all the people who have joined us in our mission. We need to celebrate this anniversary! If you have some photos that help us travel along the 40 years of IGA, please send them to our Executive Director, Christian DeVries (admin@iga-goatworld.com), or me. We will be glad to post them on the website.
 
It is a big honor for me to serve as President during this term, but your support is critical to enhancing IGA. Thank you in advance for all your work, efforts, and time dedicated to our association.
 
Best wishes for the holiday season and all the best in the coming New Year, and please stay safe,
Dr. Noemí Castro
IGA President