Recognizing the multitude of risks that a changing climate is having and will continue to have on the health of all life on earth, the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health released The guide to Implementing the One Health Joint Plan of Action at National Level <https://bit.ly/48E1dDI > to support countries to strengthen their One Health actions.
The launch took place at COP28 in Dubai and coincided with the first-ever health day at COP28 as well as a climate and health high-level ministerial meeting. The Guide is an operational addendum to the 2022 One Health Joint Plan of Action <https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240059139>, signalling a strategic objective to country-focused implementation. The guide outlines three pathways – governance, sectoral integration, and evidence and knowledge – and five steps to achieve One Health implementation.
One Health provides the opportunity to recognise shared interests, set common goals and drive towards teamwork to benefit the health of all nations. “One of our main principles when developing the Guide is to make it applicable to all countries, regardless of their status of One Health implementation, and acknowledges transdisciplinary and diversity of stakeholders,” Dr Amina Benyahia, Head a.i. One Health Initiative, World Health Organization.
Doreen Robinson, the Head of Biodiversity and Land at UNEP, noted: “The climate emergency has far-reaching consequences that threaten all life on earth. Direct factors like heat waves and floods as well as indirect factors like changes to disease spread due to changing weather patterns are just some of the risks to the health of animals, humans, and entire ecosystems.” She added: “An early investment in inclusive and systemic One Health approaches ensures we’re tackling such interconnected, complex issues for a healthier, more resilient future for both people and planet.”
“Despite the growing awareness of the One Health approach in recent years, the world remains vulnerable to many global threats unless this approach is translated into policies and actions, and adequately and sustainably financed,” said Thanawat Tiensin, Director, FAO Animal Production and Health Division.
“The international community needs strengthened coordination to implement a One Health approach, both within countries and among countries. The WHO plays a pivotal role in this regard.” said Alexandre Ghisleni, Brazil Global Health Ambassador, in his opening remarks at the event.
“Comprehensive implementation of the One Health approach will only be made possible when coordinated actions correspond to political commitments for One Health. International frameworks can help design One Health programmes, policies, legislation and research, but nations and local communities are essential and vital in putting One Health approaches into practice,” said Chadia Wannous, One Health Global Coordinator, WOAH
However, challenges and barriers in One Health implementation also remain, with a need to upscale and expand on One Health. This includes raising political and financial support, strengthening capacity building, improving information and data exchange and inviting in technology innovation.
The benefits of implementing a One Health approach are clear, not only in regard to improving the health of humans, animals and the environment but also in terms of the huge economic benefits – the return on investment of the One Health approach is up to 90%, according to the World Bank.
