Cities Collaborate to Implement One Health Initiatives

Mayors and senior representatives of local authorities from around the world gathered in Lyon today to launch an international coalition of cities committed to implementing the One Health approach at the local level during the One Health Summit hosted by France.

The International Forum of Local Leaders on One Health, co-hosted by the WHO as an official partner event of the One Health Summit, gathered nearly 50 mayors and senior local officials from cities across five continents.

Presentations highlighted the wide range of One Health challenges that cities encounter, covering topics like urban governance and climate transition in Lyon and Port Moresby, air quality management in Casablanca, biodiversity-focused governance in Curridabat, and integrated urban health and food systems in Montpellier. Additionally, insights were shared from cities such as Akonolinga, Apartadó, Paris, Singapore, Marseille, Izmir, Liège, Bouaké, and Lahti. The Forum wrapped up with a moderated discussion that pinpointed common priorities, challenges, and strategies for collaborative efforts aimed at creating healthier, more resilient communities.

The flagship outcome of the Forum is the establishment of an international coalition of cities. This coalition, which seeks to bring together approximately 15 cities for an initial term of three years, will promote peer exchanges, support innovative pilot projects, and generate freely accessible knowledge, tools, and operational indicators.

The Forum also included a presentation of the One Health for Cities methodological guide, a practical resource aimed at assisting local and regional authorities in designing strategies, establishing governance mechanisms, and integrating equity considerations into their One Health policies.

The Forum is a key initiative of the WHO Academy's Healthy Cities flagship, bringing together mayors, city representatives, and partners from around the world to showcase concrete local implementation, identify systemic barriers, and advance collective action on One Health in urban contexts.

By co-convening this Forum with partners and WHO technical units, the WHO Academy is actively contributing to bridging global policy commitments with local action, ensuring that cities are equipped, connected, and empowered to implement One Health approaches on the ground. To that end, the Forum presented a range of WHO Academy learning resources, and its conclusions will directly inform the design of a practical learning program for cities and territories.

The event closed with an official reception hosted by the Mayor of Lyon at Lyon City Hall, providing a space for dialogue between mayors and institutional partners.

The One Health Summit, organized under the French G7 Presidency and aligning with World Health Day, is the inaugural Summit of its kind. It unites heads of state and government, along with international organizations, parliamentarians, scientists, the private sector, civil society, local authorities, and youth, with the aim of speeding up the global implementation of the One Health approach.