Press Release

WOAH assumes chair of Quadripartite Secretariat, outlining vision for One Health collaboration 

One Health Quadripartite Secretariat Members_Group of One Health Members Organisations' Director Generals
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is set to chair the Quadripartite rotating Secretariat for the upcoming year, following the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), reiterating a strong commitment to advancing animal health efforts through collaborative One Health initiatives.

In March 2022, WOAH, alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and UNEP, solidified its commitment to advancing One Health principles by establishing the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health. This collaboration aims to address the intricate interconnections between animal health, human health, and the environment, leveraging joint expertise to tackle emerging diseases, zoonotic infections, foodborne illnesses, and environmental challenges. 

During the Second Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting at the United Nations Office in Nairobi from 29 February to 6 March 2024, WOAH formally assumed its role as forthcoming chair of the Quadripartite Secretariat, reinforcing its dedication to combating zoonotic animal diseases such as rabies or vector-borne diseases through a holistic approach. 

We stand prepared to move forward with our strategic priorities centred around implementing the One Health Joint Plan of Actions, resource mobilisation, capacity building, engagement in political forums and One Health governance, and taking action against important neglected zoonotic diseases.

Monique Eloit, Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health. 

At the forefront of WOAH’s leadership lies our robust commitment to combatting rabies, a preventable yet deadly disease that still affects vulnerable communities worldwide. Overall, through strategic priorities outlined for the term, the Organisation aims to drive impactful initiatives that resonate across national, regional, and global levels: 

  1. Implementation of the One Health Joint Plan of Actions (OH JPA) at a national level 

    Through resource mobilisation, regional coordination mechanisms, the integration of existing operational tools, as well as communication and advocacy activities, WOAH will prioritise the rollout of the OH JPA in selected countries, emphasising the critical role of the animal health sector in safeguarding everyone’s health.
  2. Monitoring and evaluation framework for the OH JPA 

    The Quadripartite will develop a monitoring and evaluation framework with targets and indicators that are relevant to facilitating reporting on OH JPA progress as well as its overall advocacy for its initial five years.
  3. Development of a One Health Learning Coordination task force 

    Focusing on strengthening One Health collaborative capacity, WOAH will champion the establishment of a One Health Learning Coordination task force. By providing access to resources and fostering lifelong learning for the One Health workforce, WOAH aims to build capacity and drive innovation in One Health efforts.
  4. One Health within the global political agenda

    WOAH and its Quadripartite partners will make efforts to ensure that One Health principles are embedded in global political discussions and agreements. This includes advocating for One Health inclusion in the pandemic accord negotiations, coordinating with key stakeholders, and organising briefings to countries on One Health issues. Additionally, the Quadripartite will actively engage in political forums such as the G20 and G7 to raise awareness and mobilise support for comprehensive One Health governance mechanisms, fostering intersectoral collaboration to address future health emergencies effectively.
  5. One Health action against zoonotic diseases: rabies as model 

    WOAH will promote efforts to control and eliminate endemic zoonoses, neglected tropical diseases, and vector-borne diseases, with a particular focus on ending human deaths from dog-mediated rabies. Leveraging on the strategic plan Zero by 30 developed by FAO, WHO, and WOAH, OH JPA activities on rabies will operationalise the One Health approach in countries with the highest rabies burden. This includes promoting the development of national control plans while considering surveillance in wildlife, facilitating access to the WOAH vaccine bank for the vaccination of dogs (both sheepdogs in contact with wildlife and free-roaming dogs), and fostering stakeholder and communities communication.  

As WOAH assumes the chair of the Quadripartite Secretariat, it reaffirms its commitment to advancing One Health principles and their operational implementation to ensure a safer and healthier future for all. 

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