The WHO Academy has developed a comprehensive portfolio of programmes across most health topics addressed by WHO and tackles key priorities that require specific intervention. To ensure these priorities are addressed, the Academy has a focus on an evolving scope of priority programmes.

Two flagship programmes have been designed to support targeted WHO initiatives, namely: One Health and Healthy Cities.

Rapid urbanization is transforming societies worldwide. By 2050, nearly 70% of the global population is expected to live in cities, with much of this growth concentrated in LMICs. While unplanned urban expansion can pose health and environmental risks, cities are also uniquely positioned to drive health improvements.

Cities are strategic actors that can mobilize stakeholders across sectors, implement integrated policies and engage communities to foster greater health and well-being. Cities can innovate and scale solutions promoting health in urban and local settings, making them key partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and advancing health equity.

As part of its commitment to capacity building for healthy cities, the Academy is developing and integrating learning resources onto its online learning platform.

One Health is an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes the close, interdependent links among these domains to develop new methods for surveillance and disease control.

The WHO Academy supports the systematic integration of One Health by strengthening knowledge, building capacity and equipping professionals across human, animal, plant and environmental health to work together effectively.

The One Health flagship strengthens the capacity of health professionals and supports a broader range of stakeholders in implementing the One Health approach. It develops evidence-based One Health learning programmes, forges strategic partnerships with the Quadripartite and other international organizations as well as with national and local stakeholders, and contributes to the One Health Joint Plan of Action.