The Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) programme is being developed by a group of international collaborators led by the University of Liverpool. GBADs will create information on the economic burden of livestock diseases to support animal health decision-making focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). GBADs is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development. GBADs will measure and improve societal outcomes from livestock and have a positive impact on the sustainable development goals contributing to a world in which there is zero hunger, good health and well-being, gender equality, decent work and economic growth and responsible consumption and production.