‘…Its mandate, expertise and networks will provide an important contribution to advance One Health.’
The One Health partnership, which brings together the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), has now been joined by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). A Memorandum of Understanding says that UNEP ‘sets the environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the UN system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.’
The four organisations will be focused on the One Health Joint Plan of Action, which comprises ‘six main action tracks.’ These tracks include: reducing the risks from emerging or resurfacing zoonotic epidemics and pandemics; controlling and eliminating endemic zoonotic, neglected tropical or vector-borne diseases; and curbing the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Last year the original One Health partners implemented a number of initiatives, these included one on AMR which has made progress in establishing a Joint Framework on AMR, a Global Leaders’ Group on AMR, and work towards an AMR multi-stakeholder Partnership Platform.
In addition the One Health High-Level Export Panel was established to provide an important scientific advisory role, and One Health Regional Platforms were strengthened and new ones set up to share information and best practice.
Commenting on UNEP’s participation in One Health, Monique Eloit, OIE Director General said; ‘Today I am particularly pleased that our Tripartite collaboration is expanded to include UNEP as an equal partner. Its mandate, expertise and networks will provide an important contribution to advance One Health.’
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