The Technical Congress and Annual Meetings 2018 of the Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations (GAPFA) were held in Yokohama from 1^st October to 4^th October, hosted by the Japan Pet Food Association (JPFA).

The GAPFA Technical Congress participants were presented with an overview of pet food regulation in Japan, including insights into the Japanese experience with PARNUTs pet food. In addition, the participants welcomed Dr. Kinzang Dukpa, the speaker from the OIE Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific presenting the role of OIE as global standard setting organization. Finally, a speaker from Euromonitor, Sean Kreidler, highlighted the pet food market situation and opportunities in Asia Pacific.  

GAPFA member associations presented their country/regional reports about their current and future activities and emerging issues. 

GAPFA achievements in 2018 include:

• enhanced cooperation with OIE on key issues such as Avian Influenza inactivation and OIE Chapter review;
• publication of the GAPFA Safety Guidance which serves as a general self-regulation framework for pet food manufacturers to produce safe pet food and to provide guidance for safety criteria facilitating international trade; 
• finalization of the GAPFA policy statement regarding trade of finished pet food, including trade by E-commerce;
• publication on the GAPFA website of 15 GAPFA factsheets on pet food safety, dog and cat nutrition and responsible pet ownership.

The following GAPFA Officers were elected by the GAPFA General Assembly to serve a 1-year term renewable: Dave Corley (Nestlé Purina PetCare) as GAPFA President, Robert Kaczmarek (FEDIAF) as GAPFA Vice-President for Member Associations, and Carlos Gonzalez (Hill’s Pet Nutrition) as GAPFA Vice-President for Member Companies.

Also, the General Assembly appointed the following Workstream Chairs: Thomas Brenten (FEDIAF) and Lisa Conboy (Nestlé Purina PetCare) as Nutrition WS Chairs, Jim Barritt (PFI US) and Fausto Fiorini (ABINPET) as Food Safety & Trade Facilitation WS Chairs, and Robert Kaczmarek (Mars Petcare) and Bill Salzman (Nestlé Purina PetCare) as Communications WS Chairs.

The General Assembly unanimously agreed to the application from the Argentina Chamber of Animal Nutrition Companies (CAENA) to join GAPFA as an Association Member from 1^st January 2019.