WHO and France Launch New Initiatives for One Health Action

On World Health Day, global leaders convened in France for a landmark 'One Health Summit,' during which the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners unveiled a new series of concrete actions aimed at better safeguarding people, animals, and the planet from future health crises.

Hosted by France, the Summit represents a significant advancement in implementing the One Health approach, which acknowledges the deep interconnections between human health, animal health, and the environment. This year’s theme for World Health Day, 'Together for health. Stand with science,' set the tone for the announcements.

The urgency could not be clearer. Climate change, environmental degradation, unsafe food, water contamination, biodiversity loss, and unequal access to health care are among the most pressing challenges facing the world today. About 60% of known infectious diseases in humans originate in animals, and around 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic. The COVID-19 pandemic alone resulted in an estimated 15 million deaths and caused trillions of dollars in economic losses globally in 2020-2021.

To prevent the next crisis before it begins, the WHO and global partners are enhancing the One Health approach, which unites experts from health, agriculture, environment, and science to identify risks earlier and respond more swiftly.

'The health of people, animals, and the environment we share are inextricably interwoven, and we cannot protect one without protecting all three,' said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. 'The One Health approach brings together expertise to work across silos and sectors to prevent and respond to threats more effectively. WHO thanks France for hosting this Summit, and we remain committed to working with partners and countries to turn commitment into action and accelerate global progress for humans, animals, and our planet.'

As host of the One Health Summit, France reaffirmed its leadership and commitment to advancing One Health by promoting international cooperation, fostering global scientific partnerships, and catalyzing practical solutions.

'One Health is not just about protecting health; it is about recognizing that we live as one system, where the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment is inseparable,' said Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France. 'France is determined to move One Health from ambition to implementation, working with the World Health Organization and our global partners to prevent the next crisis before it begins. Science must guide our actions, and cooperation must be our strength.'

Bringing together heads of state, ministers, experts, and policymakers, the summit emphasized how coordinated efforts enhance international dialogue and mobilize public and private partners toward a common goal. The outcomes of the summit will inform ongoing international discussions—such as those within the G7—regarding preparedness and coordinated responses to health threats at the interface of humans, animals, and ecosystems.

Joining forces with global partners, the WHO has outlined the following specific actions:

WHO is planning to launch a new Global Network of One Health Institutions to achieve the goals of the One Health Joint Plan of Action and will invite the Quadripartite partners to participate.

This new initiative is designed to mobilize multidisciplinary expertise and provide stronger, more coordinated support to countries. It will enhance the translation of global guidance into practical tools and on-the-ground support, strengthening training and peer learning through the WHO Academy and other relevant institutions, thereby creating a clearer, country-focused delivery model for One Health implementation.

WHO and Quadripartite partners announced the extension and expansion of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP), the world’s leading scientific advisory body on One Health. Its mandate will now run through 2027, with a new phase planned for 2027–2029, reinforcing its role in three priority areas: shaping the global research agenda, supporting the One Health Joint Plan of Action, and driving high-level advocacy grounded in science and evidence.

WHO, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the Institut Pasteur have launched a renewed global initiative aimed at eradicating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. This disease continues to take the lives of nearly 60,000 people annually, with many victims being children. The initiative, headed by countries where the disease is endemic, will focus on enhancing political commitment, implementing community-based surveillance, and advancing research. It will use rabies elimination as a framework to improve broader One Health surveillance and preparedness systems.

WHO and Quadripartite partners have presented a new Strategic Framework for Collaboration on avian influenza. This framework enhances coordination on surveillance, risk assessment, preparedness, and response, enabling countries to transition from fragmented actions to a cohesive One Health strategy. It addresses the broader impacts of avian influenza on public health, food security, livelihoods, and biodiversity.

WHO is also taking on the Chairmanship of the Quadripartite collaboration, enhancing its leadership role for coordinated global action alongside FAO, WOAH, and UNEP. Under WHO’s Chairmanship, the Quadripartite partnership will focus on achieving measurable impact at the country level, streamlining governance, and aligning efforts around a targeted set of high-impact priorities, while further strengthening advocacy, norm-setting, and evidence generation.

Alongside the Summit, the WHO is launching its first Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs), which will take place from April 7 to 9. The Forum is gathering high-level representatives, including the Minister of Health of France, as well as ministers from Germany, Indonesia, and South Africa, along with more than 800 WHO CCs from over 80 countries.

The Global Forum will act as a progressive platform to enhance collaboration among prominent academic and research institutions globally, fostering scientific innovation, data-sharing, coordinated research, and capacity building.

Both the One Health Summit and the Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres convey a clear message: addressing the complex health challenges of today requires enhanced multilateral cooperation, increased investment in science, and ongoing efforts to implement the One Health approach into tangible actions at both global and local levels.

Editor’s note

On April 9, 2026, a correction was made to the first sentence of the paragraph beginning with 'A new global network of institutions on One Health.' It now reads as follows:

WHO is planning to launch a new Global Network of One Health Institutions to achieve the goals of the One Health Joint Plan of Action and will invite the Quadripartite partners to participate.

Editor’s note 2

On April 10, 2026, a correction was made to the paragraph titled 'Global Forum of Collaborating Centres' to indicate that the Vice Minister of Health of Japan did not take part.

Please provide the text you would like me to translate.

Alongside the Summit, the World Health Organization (WHO) is launching its first Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs), taking place from April 7 to 9. The Forum will convene high-level representatives, including the Minister of Health of France, along with ministers from Germany, Indonesia, and South Africa, as well as over 800 WHO CCs from more than 80 countries.