Advancing the implementation of the One Health approach

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that human health doesn’t exist in a vacuum and is interlinked with the health of animals and the planet. Pathogens originating in animals—dengue, avian influenza, rabies, among others—contribute to a significant proportion of infectious diseases and over 2.7 milion deaths annually. In the last three decades, 75% of newly detected human pathogens originated in animals. 

Evidence suggests that changes occurring in the natural environment are compromising food safety and security and increasing the spread of infectious diseases, including drug-resistant infections, zoonotic and vector-borne diseases.

The close links between human, animal and environmental health demand effective collaboration, communication, and coordination among all relevant sectors. The One Health approach enables experts across disciplines to harness collective action, build synergies and collaboratively tackle complex health challenges.    

The One Health Quadripartite—the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)—exemplifies One Health collaboration. 

Members of the Quadripartite work cohesively to support One Health related activities, coordinate interagency engagement and promote partnerships that address common challenges.  

In the Western Pacific region, the Quadripartite has:

• implemented National One Health Joint Plans of Action;
• supported the ASEAN One Health initiative;
• provided technical and strategic guidance for One Health governance;
• facilitated National Bridging Workshops; 
• rolled out One Health operational tools; and
• advocated for One Health action across the region.