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WHO Urges Global Action: How One Health Approach Tackles Pandemic Threats

The World Health Organization is calling for stronger global cooperation to address health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. WHO's Catharina Boehme emphasized the urgent need for a multidisciplinary One Health approach on World One Health Day. She highlighted that emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change impacts require integrated solutions. Several countries in South-East Asia have already begun implementing One Health frameworks to strengthen their health systems.

Key Points: WHO Calls for One Health Action on World One Health Day

  • WHO highlights urgent need for multidisciplinary One Health approach
  • Recent Pandemic Agreement embeds One Health in global policy framework
  • Quadripartite Alliance promotes integrated health initiatives worldwide
  • Several Asian countries already implementing One Health frameworks
  • Pandemic Fund offers new opportunities for capacity building
2 min read

WHO urges collective action to tackle health threats at human-animal-environment interface on World One Health Day

WHO emphasizes urgent need for integrated approach to combat emerging diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate health impacts through global cooperation.

"The world is witnessing an alarming increase in emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the health impacts of climate change. - Catharina Boehme, WHO South-East Asia"

New Delhi, November 3

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for stronger global cooperation and integrated action to address growing health threats arising from the interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and the environment on the occasion of World One Health Day, observed every year on November 3.

On this occasion, the Officer-in-Charge of WHO South-East Asia, Catharina Boehme, emphasised the urgent need for a multidisciplinary "One Health" approach to tackle emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the health impacts of climate change.

"The world is witnessing an alarming increase in emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the health impacts of climate change. These interconnected threats cross the boundaries of human, animal, and plant health, as well as environmental ecosystems," Boehme said.

She noted that the recent adoption of the Pandemic Agreement by the World Health Assembly marks a historic milestone, embedding the One Health approach in global policy as a foundation for pandemic prevention and preparedness. The establishment of the Pandemic Fund, she said, offers new opportunities for sustained investment, capacity building, and equitable benefit-sharing to protect vulnerable populations.

Boehme also highlighted the key role of the Quadripartite One Health Alliance--comprising the World Health Organisation (WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)--in promoting global and regional One Health initiatives.

The Alliance's One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA) 2022-2026 outlines the collective commitment to implement and advocate for integrated health approaches.

In the WHO South-East Asia Region, several countries have already begun institutionalising One Health frameworks. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Timor-Leste, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have each taken steps to strengthen interministerial coordination, research, and national strategies addressing zoonoses, emerging diseases, and AMR.

"Much remains to be done," Boehme said, urging Member States to strengthen One Health governance, adopt multisectoral coordination tools, and leverage financing mechanisms such as the Pandemic Fund to advance the OH JPA.

Calling for unified global action, she added, "On World One Health Day, we urge everyone--governments, health professionals, veterinarians, farmers, environmentalists, and citizens alike--to unite to protect the health of people, animals, and our planet."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some sense! After COVID, we should have learned our lesson. But I worry about implementation - we have great policies on paper but ground reality is different. Need more funding for rural health infrastructure.
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Ananya R
As a veterinary student, I'm glad to see this recognition. In India, animal health directly affects human health - from street dogs to livestock. Hope this leads to better collaboration between human and animal healthcare systems.
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David E
Living in Delhi, I see the environmental health connection daily. The air pollution affects everyone - humans, animals, plants. This integrated approach is the only way forward for sustainable development.
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Sarah B
While I appreciate the intent, I'm concerned about the practical challenges. In a country as diverse as India, coordinating between multiple ministries and states will be incredibly difficult. Hope they have a realistic implementation roadmap.
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Karthik V
Antimicrobial resistance is a silent pandemic in India. We overuse antibiotics in humans and animals alike. This One Health approach could save millions of lives if implemented properly. Good to see India is already taking steps! 💊

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