WOAH welcomes G20’s unified commitment to advancing the One Health approach

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) welcomes the G20 declaration on climate change, health and equity, and One Health, issued today at the G20 Health Ministerial Meeting in Brazil.

The Declaration emphasises the interconnectedness of human, animal – both domestic and wild –, plant, and ecosystem health. It urges countries to adopt a One Health approach to address complex global health threats and protect millions of lives at risk of the catastrophic impacts of climate change. This Declaration serves as a vital guide for global leaders to unite efforts in tackling these intertwined challenges, ensuring a healthier future for all. 

We particularly applaud the G20’s political commitments highlighted in the Declaration on One Health. The G20 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advocate for the adoption of a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health. They stress the need for robust policies and governance structures to effectively implement health strategies, advocating for efficient multi-sectoral coordination and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. 

The G20 leaders also called for promoting collaborative intersectoral and multidisciplinary actions to address knowledge gaps and strengthen surveillance, prevention, preparedness, and responding to potential future health emergencies, tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), infectious and neglected tropical diseases, and addressing other issues related to the health of humans, animals, plants and their shared environment. 

Moreover, the Declaration urges the promotion of sustainable international and national funding and the increase in technical cooperation for implementing One Health approach-based policies, cross-sectoral activities and joint actions based on, but not limited to, the Quadripartite’s guidelines at the global, regional, and national levels.  

The Quadripartite (FAO, UNEP, WHO, WOAH) collaboration on One Health has been pivotal in advocating for and shaping One Health strategies at the global, regional and national level. Through their collective leadership—particularly reflected through the One Health Joint Plan of Action and its implementation guide — they have provided critical support to past G20 presidencies and aim to do so for future ones, in ensuring One Health is more prominently reflected in global development agendas. Their efforts aim to drive a paradigm shift, fostering systematic changes in how we prevent, prepare for, and respond to future health risks. 

By championing collaboration across sectors and borders, we can build a resilient global health framework that addresses current challenges like antimicrobial resistance, while anticipating and preparing for future threats. This Declaration underscores the power of unified, decisive action, and WOAH is fully committed to supporting its vision to create a healthier, more sustainable world for all.

Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, WOAH Director General