France, a nation long committed to global health initiatives, hosted a pivotal "One Health Summit" on World Health Day, marking a significant stride in the coordinated global effort to safeguard human, animal, and environmental health. Organized in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and its key collaborators, the summit culminated in the announcement of a suite of concrete actions aimed at bolstering defenses against future health crises. This landmark event underscored the critical interconnectedness of planetary well-being with human and animal health, embodying the spirit of this year’s World Health Day theme: "Together for health. Stand with science."
The urgency driving these initiatives is undeniable. The world grapples with a confluence of escalating challenges, including the accelerating impacts of climate change, pervasive environmental degradation, unsafe food and water resources, and a precipitous decline in biodiversity. These factors, coupled with persistent inequities in healthcare access, create fertile ground for the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. The stark reality is that approximately 60% of known human infectious diseases originate in animals, with a staggering 75% of emerging infectious diseases being zoonotic – transmissible between animals and humans. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a devastating testament to this interconnectedness, resulting in an estimated 15 million deaths and triggering trillions of dollars in global economic losses between 2020 and 2021 alone. The One Health Summit was conceived as a proactive response to prevent such catastrophic events from recurring.
A United Front: The "One Health" Approach in Action
The core tenet of the One Health approach, which recognizes the intrinsic links between human, animal, and environmental health, was central to the discussions and outcomes of the summit. This paradigm shift moves beyond traditional, siloed approaches to health, advocating for a holistic and collaborative strategy. By bringing together experts from diverse fields – including public health, veterinary medicine, environmental science, agriculture, and research – the summit aimed to foster earlier detection of risks and accelerate response mechanisms.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, emphasized the critical nature of this integrated approach. "The health of people, animals and the environment we share are inextricably interwoven, and we cannot protect one without protecting all three," he stated. He further elaborated on the power of the One Health approach to "bring together expertise to work across silos and sectors to prevent and respond to threats more effectively." Dr. Ghebreyesus extended gratitude to France for its leadership in hosting the summit and reiterated the WHO’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with partners and nations to translate these commitments into tangible actions, thereby accelerating global progress for all living systems.
France, as the host nation, reaffirmed its dedication to championing the One Health agenda on the international stage. President Emmanuel Macron of the Republic of France articulated a powerful vision for the initiative: "One Health is not just about protecting health, it is about recognizing that we live as one system, where the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment is inseparable." He underscored France’s determination to transition the One Health concept "from ambition to implementation," working in concert with the WHO and global partners to preempt future health crises. President Macron’s address underscored the imperative of science-led action and the indispensable role of international cooperation as the bedrock of this endeavor.
The summit served as a crucial platform, convening Heads of State, ministers, leading scientists, and policymakers. The high-level participation underscored a shared understanding of the necessity for coordinated global efforts to strengthen international dialogue and mobilize both public and private sector partners towards a common objective. The outcomes of the summit are poised to significantly inform ongoing international deliberations, including those within the G7 framework, on preparedness and coordinated responses to health threats at the critical nexus of human, animal, and ecosystem interfaces.
Key Initiatives Launched to Fortify Global Health Security
In a series of significant announcements, the WHO, in collaboration with its global partners, unveiled four major initiatives designed to operationalize the One Health approach and enhance global health security:
1. Establishment of a New Global Network of Institutions on One Health
Recognizing the need for a robust, coordinated framework to support countries in implementing One Health strategies, the WHO announced plans to establish a new Global Network of One Health Institutions. This initiative aims to consolidate and mobilize multidisciplinary expertise, offering enhanced and more coherent support to nations. By fostering collaboration between the WHO and its Quadripartite partners – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – the network will facilitate the translation of global guidance into practical tools and on-the-ground assistance. Furthermore, it will bolster training and peer-learning opportunities through mechanisms such as the WHO Academy, creating a more streamlined and country-focused delivery model for One Health implementation. This network is expected to be a cornerstone in building national capacities for disease surveillance, risk assessment, and response.
2. Strengthening Scientific Guidance for Global Action
To ensure that global health strategies are firmly rooted in the latest scientific evidence, the WHO and its Quadripartite partners announced the extension and expansion of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP). As the world’s foremost scientific advisory body on One Health, OHHLEP’s mandate has been extended through 2027, with a new phase planned for 2027-2029. This extension reinforces its crucial role in three priority areas: shaping the global research agenda, providing scientific backing for the One Health Joint Plan of Action, and driving high-level advocacy grounded in robust scientific evidence. The continued work of OHHLEP will be vital in navigating the complex interplay of factors contributing to health threats and informing evidence-based policy decisions.
3. Renewed Push for Rabies Elimination by 2030
In a tangible demonstration of the One Health approach addressing specific diseases, the WHO, WOAH, and the Institut Pasteur launched a renewed global initiative to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. This devastating disease continues to claim the lives of nearly 60,000 people annually, with children disproportionately affected. By prioritizing endemic countries and strengthening political commitment, community-based surveillance, and research, this initiative aims to leverage the elimination of rabies as a model for enhancing broader One Health surveillance and preparedness systems. This targeted effort highlights how integrated approaches can yield significant public health gains and protect vulnerable populations.
4. A Unified Strategy to Tackle Avian Influenza Threats
Acknowledging the persistent threat posed by avian influenza, the WHO and its Quadripartite partners presented a new Strategic Framework for Collaboration on Avian Influenza. This framework is designed to harmonize efforts in surveillance, risk assessment, preparedness, and response, guiding countries to transition from fragmented actions to a unified One Health strategy. By addressing the wider impacts of avian influenza on public health, food security, livelihoods, and biodiversity, this initiative seeks to mitigate the multifaceted consequences of this zoonotic disease and build more resilient systems.
WHO Assumes Enhanced Leadership in Global One Health Coordination
In a significant development reinforcing the commitment to coordinated global action, the WHO is assuming the Chairmanship of the Quadripartite collaboration. This enhanced leadership role will see the WHO working closely with FAO, WOAH, and UNEP to prioritize measurable impact at the country level. Under WHO’s stewardship, the Quadripartite partnership will focus on streamlining governance, aligning efforts around a set of high-impact priorities, and strengthening advocacy, norm-setting, and evidence generation. This unified leadership is expected to accelerate progress and ensure greater coherence in global One Health initiatives.
Global Forum of Collaborating Centres: Catalyzing Scientific Innovation
Running concurrently with the One Health Summit, the WHO is also hosting its first Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs) from April 7th to 9th. This forum convenes high-level representatives, including the Minister of Health of France, ministers from Germany, Indonesia, and South Africa, and over 800 representatives from WHO CCs spanning more than 80 countries. The forum serves as a forward-looking platform to deepen collaboration among leading academic and research institutions worldwide. Its objectives include accelerating scientific innovation, promoting data sharing, fostering coordinated research efforts, and enhancing capacity-building initiatives. The synergy between the One Health Summit and the Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres signals a powerful commitment to leveraging scientific expertise and multilateral cooperation to address complex global health challenges.
Implications and the Path Forward
The One Health Summit and the accompanying Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres collectively send an unequivocal message: confronting today’s multifaceted health crises necessitates robust multilateral cooperation, increased investment in scientific research and innovation, and sustained, dedicated efforts to translate the One Health approach from a conceptual framework into tangible, impactful action at both global and local levels. The initiatives announced are not merely symbolic; they represent a concrete commitment to building a more resilient and secure future for all inhabitants of our planet. The success of these endeavors will depend on continued political will, equitable resource allocation, and the active engagement of all stakeholders in fostering a healthier planet for generations to come. The integration of human, animal, and environmental health is no longer an abstract ideal but a critical imperative for our collective survival and prosperity.
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