One Health is a validated, integrated, and holistic approach endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It focuses on addressing health challenges at the interface of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Achieving this requires a coordinated, multisectoral effort involving key stakeholders to tackle emerging health risks at this critical interface. Protecting human health is only possible when we also safeguard the health of animals, plants, and the environment.
This side event at the seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific will explore global and regional One Health initiatives, spotlight country experiences, and serve as a dialogue to learn how countries have been engaging in multisectoral coordination for One Health implementation. The event will build on existing mechanisms and address current challenges in the Western Pacific Region. It will feature insights from Brunei Darussalam and Vanuatu on their successful One Health actions, and offer guidance from WHO on available support for Member States.
This is a unique opportunity to share experiences and accelerate coordinated actions for addressing complex health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. All participants in the Regional Committee Meeting are invited to join the side event.
Moderator: Dr Gina Samaan, Regional Emergency Director, WHO Western Pacific Region
Opening and closing remarks: Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, Regional Director, WHO Western Pacific Region
Panel moderator: Dr Timothy Peter Armstrong, WHO Representative to the Lao People's Democratic Republic
Panelists: Pengiran Dr Haji Khalifah bin Pengiran Haji Ismail, Director-General of Medical and Health Services, Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam
Dr Posikai Samuel Tapo, Acting Director-General, Ministry of Health, Vanuatu
The event will be part of the Regional Committee meeting livestream coverage on X, Facebook, YouTube, and the RCM75 web page.
