At the 9th World One Health Congress in Lisbon, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is calling for a new phase of One Health implementation, prevention and lasting change in countries and communities. 

A virus moving between wild birds and poultry does not stop to ask which authority is responsible. Antimicrobial resistance does not recognise the boundary between a hospital and a veterinary clinic. Environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change cannot be contained within a single ministry or profession. 

Yet the systems designed to address these threats often remain divided. Data sit on separate platforms, expertise in different institutions and funding in sector-specific budgets. As experts, policymakers and practitioners gather in Lisbon from 4 to 7 September 2026, the question is no longer whether human, animal and environmental health are interconnected. It is whether our ways of working are evolving quickly enough to reflect that reality. 

Opening the event, WOAH Director General Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran called for 
One Health to move beyond declarations and become a shared practice. At a time when food insecurity, climate change, biodiversity loss and geopolitical instability are converging, One Health is no longer simply an option, but a necessity. 

However, crossing boundaries does not mean erasing sectoral responsibilities or diluting expertise. Effective collaboration depends on strong Veterinary Services, public health systems, environmental and wildlife institutions, food systems and research capacities, each contributing its expertise to shared goals. 

“One Health will not be delivered through declarations alone. It will be delivered in countries, laboratories, hospitals, Veterinary Services, farms and food systems, wildlife and ecosystem management, and, most importantly, in communities,” Dr Soubeyran said. 

From global commitments to national action 

This shift from commitment to implementation is at the centre of WOAH’s participation. The One Health Joint Plan of Action, launched in 2022 by the Quadripartite organisations (FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH) provides a common framework for collaboration across human, animal, plant and ecosystem health. But a global framework only becomes meaningful when it changes how institutions work together at national and local levels. 

How does a country move from endorsing One Health to deciding who is responsible for what? How can ministries share information and accountability? And how can a national plan survive changes in leadership or the end of external funding? 

These questions will guide “Bridging Policy-to-Practice: Implementing the One Health Joint Plan of Action at National Level ”, one of WOAH’s priority sessions. Experiences from Uzbekistan, Singapore and Malawi will trace different stages of One Health implementation- from assessing capacities and gaps, bringing the right stakeholders together, to establishing coordination mechanisms and translating priorities into costed national action plans. Evidence from the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) will highlight the conditions that make implementation last, including political leadership, clear mandates, integrated data, sustainable financing and workforce capacity. 

The real test of One Health is not whether countries have created a strategy, but whether that strategy changes decisions, budgets and action on the ground. Implementation has to be nationally owned, adequately financed and built into institutions. Otherwise, collaboration risks remaining dependent on individual projects or the urgency of the next crisis.

Dr Chadia Wannous, Head of the One Health and Global Frameworks Department at WOAH.

A related discussion organised by OHHLEP on translating enablers, dismantling barriers and aligning global policy will explore how to move away from arrangements that appear during emergencies and towards systems capable of working together before a crisis begins. 

Prevention: connecting science, policy and communities 

Prevention will be another central theme of WOAH’s contribution. A session co-organised with PREZODE will explore how scientific evidence, policy priorities, local knowledge and lived experience can inform one another and lead to earlier, better decisions. Experiences from Senegal, Viet Nam and global governance will help participants examine recurring obstacles, including short-term financing, weak trust, limited community participation and an “emergency bias” that allows cooperation to fade once the immediate danger has passed. The aim is to create durable interfaces through which knowledge can move in both directions and shape action. 

Building the systems behind collaboration 

Plans and structures are only as effective as the people expected to implement them. One Health requires strong technical expertise within each discipline, but also professionals who can understand complex systems, communicate across institutions and build trust with colleagues from other sectors. 

The FAO/WHO/WOAH Joint One Health Learning Taskforce is working to develop competency-based learning pathways grounded in country and workforce needs. Its session at the Congress will show how existing learning platforms and technical resources can be connected, reducing duplication while combining profession-specific knowledge with skills such as systems thinking, collaboration, communication and leadership. Ministries, universities and training institutions will consider how they can help define, pilot and evaluate future programmes.

Effective One Health systems must also recognise that risks are not experienced equally. Social roles influence who interacts with animals, who handles wildlife products, who has access to services and who participates in decisions. A session on gender-transformative approaches will examine how diversity, equity and inclusion can be embedded in governance, financing, data and programmes. 

WOAH joint work with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) on wildmeat value chains offers a concrete example. Hunting is often the most visible activity and may dominate risk assessments. Looking at the entire value chain reveals other roles, including women’s involvement in transporting and selling wildmeat, and forms of exposure that might otherwise remain invisible. Accounting for these realities strengthens both the evidence behind prevention and the policies built from it. 

From interconnected thinking to connected systems 

WOAH experts will also contribute to discussions on wildlife health and surveillance, sustainable financing, and the continuing H5N1 panzootic. Though these topics may appear distinct, they lead to the same conclusion: complex threats cannot be addressed through a single intervention or sector. 

Prevention depends on connecting Veterinary Services, public health authorities, wildlife and environmental institutions, scientists, industry and communities around shared risks. It requires surveillance information to become early warning and action, global frameworks to be adapted to national realities, and political and financial commitment to continue after international attention has moved elsewhere. 

One Health will ultimately be judged not by the number of strategies produced or meetings held, but by whether countries and communities are better able to prevent threats, protect animals and people, safeguard ecosystems and act together when risks emerge. 

The challenge now is to turn interconnected thinking into connected systems—and a shared concept into lasting practice. 

The economic costs from zoonotic and other infectious diseases run into billions of US dollars annually.  And according to World Bank estimates, antimicrobial resistance could lead to a loss of around 3.8 percent of global gross domestic product by 2050. 

These global health threats and potential economic consequences mean that countries need to invest in new ways to increase preparedness and prevention.  

A new brief from the FAO Investment Centre, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), examines the long-term, added value of investing in One Health – an integrated approach that recognises the connections between human, animal, plant and ecosystem health. 

Financial and economic returns to investing in One Health: evidence and future directions looks at how the approach can reduce disease burdens, healthcare costs, environmental contamination and antimicrobial resistance spread. 

By promoting collaboration across sectors and disciplines, One Health helps maximise the impact of investments while reducing unintended consequences and improving long-term resilience. 

Geared for decision-makers, One Health practitioners and financing institutions, the brief identifies barriers and opportunities for investing in One Health initiatives and reviews current evidence and knowledge gaps on the returns on investment.  

It also highlights the institutional and financing mechanisms needed to scale sustainable, cost-effective interventions at all levels, from the community to the global level.    

Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, Director of FAO’s Animal Production and Health Division and Chief Veterinarian, says that “today’s most pressing challenges – climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, food insecurity and socioeconomic vulnerabilities – are deeply interconnected,” adding that “they demand integrated approaches like One Health, which can improve prevention and mitigation.”  

Baba Soumare, WOAH Deputy Director General, points to animal health as one of the most effective entry points for prevention, adding that:

Investing in One Health means investing in stronger Veterinary Services, better surveillance and greater collaboration across sectors to detect, prevent and respond to health threats at their source. These investments protect not only animals, but also people, economies and ecosystems.

This investment case is reinforced by WOAH in its 2026 State of the World’s Animal Health report, which warns that infectious animal diseases are becoming more complex and costly while investment in prevention is under increasing pressure. The report highlights that, bringing Veterinary Services worldwide up to international standards would require an investment of approximately US $2.3 billion per year – less than 0.05% of the economic losses of COVID-19 in a single year. Strengthening animal health systems and Veterinary Services is therefore one of the most cost-effective investments countries can make to protect food security, livelihoods, biodiversity and global health, making investment in animal health a cornerstone of effective One Health action. 

Investments in animal health, food systems, environmental protection and public health can also reinforce one another, delivering greater impact than isolated sectoral interventions.  Assistant Director-General and Director of the FAO Investment Centre Mohamed Manssouri says that “while the wider benefits of investing in One Health are recognised globally, investments in One Health initiatives are still limited.” 

He stresses that “more quantitative evidence of the added value of the One Health approach and support to governments to translate One Health priorities into investment plans are essential for securing continued political commitment as well as investor confidence and engagement.” 

Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, WHO, echoes this sentiment, confirming that as “Chair of the Quadripartite, WHO will work with partners to strengthen the evidence on the impact and return on investment of One Health interventions. This is essential to build a stronger scientific and economic case for One Health approach and turn political commitment into action.”  

This latest brief, part of the FAO Investment Centre’s Innovation and Knowledge for Investment (IK4I) series, adds to FAO’s body of work around One Health. This includes two major studies with the World Bank in Asia and the Pacific, published in 2022, on strengthening investments in livestock health and wildlife systems.  

Explore the evidence and case studies: Financial and economic returns of investing in One Health

The Quadripartite collaboration on One Health – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) – has agreed to extend the implementation period of the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA) from 2022–2026 through to 2029.  

Ensuring continuity of One Health implementation

As the original implementation period was due to conclude in 2026, the extension to 2029 will provide countries with greater predictability for planning, implementing and scaling national One Health priorities under a common global framework. It also enables governments, partners and stakeholders to continue aligning their activities with the extended OH JPA at national, regional and global levels.  

By maintaining the OH JPA as its shared framework, the Quadripartite will continue to support coordinated, multisectoral collaboration to prevent, detect and respond to health risks at the human, animal, plant and ecosystem interface.  

Strengthening the Quadripartite collaboration 

The extension of the OH JPA is also aligned with the renewed Quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding to 2030, which reinforces the long-term collaboration between FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH.  

Together, the renewed MoU and the extended OH JPA provide continuity for the governance and implementation arrangements that guide Quadripartite collaboration on One Health until 2030. They support the continued coordination of technical support to countries, joint advocacy, resource mobilisation efforts and ongoing implementation of One Health at global, regional and national levels. 

Structured review to inform the next phase of the One Health Joint Plan of Action

During the extension period, the Quadripartite organisations will undertake a structured review of the OH JPA to inform the development of its next phase. The review will include:  

• stocktaking of implementation progress at global, regional and national levels; 

• documentation of lessons learned and good practices from implementation across countries and regions; 

• assessment of emerging priorities, evolving One Health needs and the changing global context, including how the framework can continue to respond effectively to evolving One Health priorities; and 
• identification of opportunities to strengthen and refine the OH JPA for future implementation.  

Looking ahead 

The extension period will enable the Quadripartite to consolidate progress, respond to emerging One Health priorities, and build a stronger evidence base for the future direction of the OH JPA. Sustained action at country level will also demonstrate how a One Health approach can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda. 

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Quadripartite One Health webpages and contacts 

A major milestone for global health and a strong signal of international commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) : on 21 May 2026, the 183 Members of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) adopted the updated Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) 2026–2036 during WOAH’s 93rd General Session.

The adoption marks a significant achievement for WOAH and the Quadripartite (FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH) partnership on AMR, bringing the global community one step closer to a coordinated, One Health response to one of the most pressing challenges facing human, animal, plant and environmental health. 

Just two days later, Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) also adopted the updated Plan during the World Health Assembly, reinforcing a shared commitment across sectors and regions to accelerate action against AMR. 

As the first of the Quadripartite organisations to formally adopt the updated Global Action Plan through its governing body, WOAH demonstrated its leadership and commitment to advancing a coordinated global response to antimicrobial resistance.

A roadmap for the next decade   

The updated GAP-AMR sets out a common vision and strategic direction for the period 2026–2036. It reflects the commitment made by United Nations Member States in the Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, which called for a robust and inclusive multisectoral response through a One Health approach that aligns with current realities to drive greater impact against antimicrobial resistance.  

The Plan has six strategic objectives: 

• Strengthen awareness and promote appropriate social and behavioural change 

• Strengthen surveillance systems and laboratory networks to support evidence-based policies and action 

• Intensify infection prevention and control to reduce the burden of infectious diseases and the need for antimicrobials 

• Ensure equitable access, appropriate use and safe disposal of antimicrobials, diagnostics and other health products 

• Accelerate antimicrobial resistance research and innovation 

• Strengthen multisectoral governance, sustainable financing and accountability for a coordinated AMR response 

By addressing AMR through a One Health approach, the Plan recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant and environmental health and the need for collective action to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials for future generations. 

Adoption by WOAH Members 

The updated Global Action Plan was adopted by WOAH Members through Resolution No. 18, submitted to the 2026 World Assembly of Delegates following the recommendation of the WOAH Working Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. 

The adoption reflects the intensive collaboration among the Quadripartite organisations, Member Delegations, technical experts, partner organisations and stakeholders across sectors who contributed to the development of the updated GAP-AMR through extensive consultations. 

From strategy to implementation 

The adoption of the updated GAP-AMR is not the end of the process – it is the beginning of a new phase focused on implementation. 

While the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) continue their respective approval processes, the Quadripartite partners are already preparing the next steps. 

A key priority will be the development of cross-sectoral operational guidance to support Members of the Quadripartite organisations and regions in translating the strategic objectives of the GAP-AMR into practical action. These guidelines will provide a framework for coordinated implementation across sectors and will help strengthen accountability, monitoring and impact.

Furthermore, the Quadripartite is also developing a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework that will allow to assess the progress in the implementation of the updated GAP-AMR at global level.  

WOAH is also preparing a series of webinars to support Members in advancing AMR action within Veterinary Services and animal health systems.

A collective achievement 

The adoption of the updated Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance represents the power of international cooperation and collective action. It is the result of sustained engagement from governments, experts, international organisations and non-state actors committed to protecting the effectiveness of antimicrobials and safeguarding health worldwide.

As the global community moves from commitment to implementation, WOAH remains fully committed to supporting its Members and partners in delivering meaningful action against antimicrobial resistance.

The next decade will be decisive. The roadmap is now in place; the focus turns to putting the Plan into practice. 

 

During its 93^rd General Session in May, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has launched its new Wildlife Health Strategy 2026–2030, to reaffirm the importance of wildlife health surveillance systems as a cornerstone of global health security, biodiversity conservation and resilient ecosystems under an integrated health approach. 

Following the achievements of the Wildlife Health Framework (2021–2025), the new Strategy outlines a more focused and operational roadmap to support WOAH Members in preventing, detecting and responding to health risks at the human, animal, environment interface.

In a context marked by increasing interactions between humans, domestic animals and wildlife, WOAH is positioning wildlife health as a strategic global priority. The Strategy is organised around three main objectives to strengthen governance of wildlife health systems, improve scientific knowledge and risk analysis based policies and sustainable, integrated multisectoral wildlife heath surveillance systems, this new Strategy has focus areas on surveillance systems, addressing health risk in wildlife trade and support upstream prevention efforts to reduce the risk of disease emergence. In fact, healthy wildlife populations are essential not only for biodiversity conservation, but also for protecting animal health, public health, ecosystem resilience and supporting sustainable food systems worldwide.  

Protecting wildlife health through stronger surveillance and policy

To support this effort, WOAH will continue improving wildlife disease reporting and information sharing through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), while expanding the use of WildEpi, WOAH’s next-generation wildlife health information system, a secure platform enabling authorised wildlife health professionals to share information on wildlife health events.

WildEpi is designed to facilitate real-time reporting and analysis of wildlife morbidity and mortality events. The platform supports real-time information sharing and analysis of wildlife health events, strengthens risk analysis and supports evidence-based decision-making through multisectoral collaboration. It leverages technological advancements by offering AI-based support for wild species identification. By engaging a wider range of contributors, including conservation organisations, researchers and wildlife networks, WildEpi seeks to bridge existing gaps in animal health data collection and decision-making.

Strengthening wildlife health surveillance is essential to improving our collective ability to detect emerging risks early and respond before they escalate into larger animal or public health events. The Wildlife Health Strategy creates an important framework to connect countries, expertise and surveillance systems under a shared One Health vision.

Tiggy Grillo, WOAH Wildlife Focal Point for Australia and Chief Operating Officer of Wildlife Health Australia. 

The Wildlife Health Strategy also recognises that effective wildlife disease surveillance depends on strong partnerships, effective legislation and operational coordination across sectors and borders. 

Wildlife health can no longer be addressed in isolation. Supporting collaboration between Veterinary Services, conservation actors, laboratories and environmental authorities is critical to building resilient surveillance systems capable of responding to increasingly complex global health challenges.

Marco Sordilli, WOAH Wildlife Focal Point for Italy. 

From global strategy to field implementation

The Wildlife Health Strategy places strong emphasis on practical implementation through regional projects, partnerships and country-level support. This operational approach builds on lessons learned from the Wildlife Health Framework and focuses on delivering measurable outcomes tailored to regional realities. For example, regional projects such as ZOOSURSY in Africa, Nature for Health (N4H) and TARTANET are highlighted as key implementation mechanisms supporting integrated wildlife health surveillance systems, workforce development and multisectoral coordination. 

Furthermore, the Strategy also reinforces collaboration with international partners and Networks*. The International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade being embedded into the strategy as the arm focusing on wildlife trade with an all-hazards, One-Health approach. 

Actions are also managed at a country level. For instance, Liberia’s wildlife disease surveillance workshop held in Bomi County in March 2025 shows how countries are turning awareness into practical action through a coordinated approach that brings together human, animal, and environmental health. During the workshop, participants explored the Guidelines for the Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens, and Toxic Agents in Free-Ranging Wildlife. Released in September 2024 and developed by IUCN and WOAH, the guidelines support countries in strengthening wildlife surveillance systems through a One Health approach. Through multisectoral collaboration involving Veterinary Services, conservation authorities, laboratories, and academia, the workshop helped establish a common framework for surveillance, rapid response, and information sharing. 

 A strategic vision for healthier wildlife and safer societies

The Wildlife Health Strategy 2026–2030 reflects WOAH’s broader commitment to advancing prevention at the animal source and strengthening resilience across ecosystems, health systems and societies. 

Through stronger governance, better data processes, enhanced scientific collaboration, integrated multisectoral surveillance systems and targeted operational support, the Strategy seeks to empower WOAH Members and their partners to prevent and better anticipate, detect and rapidly respond to wildlife health threats in a fast-changing and increasingly interconnected world.

By placing wildlife health at the centre of the One Health agenda, WOAH aims to contribute to healthier wildlife, more resilient ecosystems and a safer planet for future generations. 

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* Official partners include the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Wildlife Disease Association (WDA), the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), the Quadripartite organisations, the Wildlife Health Intelligence Network (WHIN), The Convention on the Conservation of Migrating Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW), The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).  

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Read the strategy

A new series presented by WOAH, produced by BBC StoryWorks, explores the invisible connections between animals, people and the environments we share, and how these relationships are shaping our world.

Animals and humans share a deep and profound connection. How does this interdependence shape global health? The impact of animals and their ecosystems on communities worldwide is vast, reaching across food supplies and medicine. At the same time, the challenges tied to this connection are also changing, influenced by climate change and expanding human populations.

Animals & Us, a new series presented by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and produced by BBC StoryWorks, explores what this connection between humans and animals means. This series reveals how animal health can affect everyone’s health, and how some communities around the world are fostering healthier ecosystems designed to protect both humans and animals. With agricultural systems now occupying 50% of the planet’s habitable land and global wildlife populations having declined by an average of 69% since 1970, this relationship between animals and humans is changing every day.

The stories in the series will introduce you to the remarkable innovators working to strengthen and protect this valuable connection around the world: the village in Bali helping to protect their pets and children with animal vaccines; the poultry farmer using a surprising substance to help reduce reliance on antibiotics in his animals; the rancher in Washington who’s measuring cattle breath with new technology to monitor their health; and the organisation who’s spreading awareness among agricultural workers in India about venomous snake bites.

These are the communities working around the world to help protect the bond between animals and us, aiming to find new solutions to rising challenges and helping raise awareness.

The stories come at a time when WOAH’s 2026 State of the World’s Animal Health report is drawing attention to the critical role animal health plays in protecting communities worldwide. With around 60% of known human infectious diseases originating in animals, and animal health receiving as little as 0.6% of global health spending, Animals & Us explores what prevention, innovation and resilience can look like on the ground.

Discover the stories uncovering the invisible connections between animal, human and environmental health directly impacting daily lives. Watch Animals & Us on www.animalsandusseries.com 

Because animal health is our health. It’s everyone’s health. 

Participation in the Animals & Us series does not constitute endorsement, approval or recommendation of any organization, company, product, technology, service or position featured.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has granted new official recognitions of animal health status and endorsed disease control programmes for several Members, highlighting continued global progress against major transboundary animal diseases. Announced at the 93rd General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates, these decisions reflect years of sustained investment in Veterinary Services, surveillance and prevention strategies – efforts that ultimately strengthen both animal health and economic resilience. 

This year’s announcement carries particular significance, as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of WOAH’s official animal health status framework, a system that has become a global benchmark for safe trade in animals and animal products. 

In 2026, new recognitions of animal health status include: 

20 May 2026, Paris – The adoption of the WOAH 8th Strategic Plan on 20 May 2026 marks a pivotal moment for global animal health, as Members of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) endorse a unified roadmap for the period 2027–2031. 

Agreed during the General Session following months of consultation, the WOAH 8th Strategic Plan comes at a time of mounting pressure on animal health systems worldwide. Its adoption signals a collective commitment by our Members to strengthen prevention, invest in resilience and position animal health as a cornerstone of global stability. 

The urgency of this agenda is underscored by the latest State of the World’s Animal Health report, released on 13 May 2026, which highlights accelerating disease risks, widening investment gaps and growing strain on veterinary systems. The report shows that more than 20% of global animal production is lost to preventable diseases each year, while less than USD 1 billion annually is invested in animal health systems.

Responding to a rapidly evolving global context  

Against this backdrop, the WOAH 8th Strategic Plan sets out a clear vision: to strengthen animal health systems as a foundation for food security, public health, economic resilience and sustainable development. 

Animal health challenges are becoming more complex and interconnected. Climate change is altering disease patterns, global trade is increasing the speed of spread, and antimicrobial resistance continues to threaten treatment effectiveness. At the same time, demand for animal-source food is rising, placing additional pressure on already fragile systems. 

The Strategic Plan therefore positions animal health not as a technical issue, but as a strategic global priority that requires coordinated action across countries and sectors. 

At its core, the WOAH 8th Strategic Plan is structured around three strategic orientations, each designed to address critical gaps identified through Member consultations and global evidence. 

1. Strengthening global standards for a changing world 

WOAH’s first priority is to continue developing international standards for animal health and welfare, ensuring they remain scientifically robust, adaptable and applicable to all Members. 

These standards underpin safe trade, guide national policies and support the development of effective animal health systems. However, their impact depends on both their relevance and their implementation. The Plan therefore emphasises greater Member involvement in the standard-setting process, alongside efforts to better understand and address barriers to adoption. 

By reinforcing its scientific base and ensuring standards evolve with emerging risks—such as new diseases, technological advances and shifting production systems—WOAH aims to strengthen trust, transparency and consistency across global animal health governance.  

2. Empowering national animal health systems 

The second strategic priority focuses on strengthening animal health and welfare systems, which form the backbone of disease prevention, detection and response. 

While progress has been made, significant gaps remain in workforce capacity, surveillance systems and emergency preparedness. These gaps increase the likelihood that outbreaks will spread and escalate, with consequences for food systems, livelihoods and public health. 

The Plan responds by prioritising capacity-building, knowledge sharing and stronger collaboration between Members. It adopts a holistic One Health approach, recognising the interdependence of animal, human and environmental health. 

By equipping countries with the tools, expertise and resources needed to build resilient systems, WOAH aims to shift from reactive crisis management to proactive prevention—an approach that is both more effective and significantly less costly in the long term. 

3. Elevating animal health as a global priority 

The third strategic orientation aims to position animal health at the centre of global policy discussions and investment decisions. 

Recognising animal health’s critical importance, the Plan seeks to ensure that animal health is prioritised in national and international agendas. The State of the World’s Animal Health report makes clear that this underinvestment carries significant risks, from food insecurity and economic losses to the growing threat of zoonotic diseases and pandemics.  

The Plan therefore places a strong emphasis on advocacy, communication and engagement with decision-makers and segments of the wider public. By strengthening its role in global forums and supporting Members in their national advocacy efforts, WOAH aims to mobilise greater political will and financial investment as well as fostering more broadly an understanding about the importance of animal health in a One Health context.

The objective is clear: to ensure that animal health is recognised not as a niche concern, but as a global public good essential to health security, economic stability and sustainable development. 

From adoption to implementation 

While the WOAH 8th Strategic Plan will formally take effect in 2027, its adoption in May 2026 marks the beginning of a critical transition phase. The Plan outlines a structured approach to implementation, supported by organisational enablers. Global and regional roadmaps, coupled with robust monitoring frameworks, will ensure transparency and effective strategic management of its implementation.

Sustained engagement and investment from Members and partners will be a major driver of success of the Plan. The adoption of the WOAH 8th Strategic Plan reflects a shared recognition: in a world of increasing disease risk and constrained resources, prevention is not optional – it is essential. 

By strengthening standards, empowering national systems and elevating animal health on the global stage, WOAH and its Members are laying the groundwork for a more resilient future. 

As the State of the World’s Animal Health report makes clear, the choice is not between investing and saving, it is between planned investment and unplanned loss. With this new Strategic Plan, Members have chosen to invest in prevention, cooperation and long-term impact, benefiting animals, people and the planet alike. 

At the One Health Summit held in Lyon on 7 April 2026, the Quadripartite collaboration, bringing together the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), joined global leaders and partners in calling for strengthened investment and partnership, and accelerated country-level implementation of the One Health approach.

Against a backdrop of converging crisis, including climate pressures, pollution, environmental degradation and growing strain on food systems, and increasing risks to animal health, contributing to the acceleration of health threats and pandemic risk, the Summit, hosted by France, emphasized that stronger political commitment and coordinated multilateral action are critical to safeguard the health of humans, animals and ecosystems alike. 

“The One Health approach is no longer a choice. It is a strategic imperative in an unstable but increasingly interconnected world,” said Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care at the World Health Organization. “Together, we are committed to working in partnership and strengthening the Quadripartite, working with colleagues across the sectors on the five shared deliverables which mark a decisive shift from commitment to implementation to help equip countries with the science, systems and partnerships needed to integrate One Health in all policies, and prevent future crises across our sectors.” 

Building on their shared commitment, the Quadripartite partners presented a coordinated package of priority deliverables aimed at supporting country-level implementation. These actions, led jointly or individually, in line with each agency’s respective mandate, reflect a collective ambition to translate political momentum into operational impact. 

1. Stronger science to guide global action 

Quadripartite partners announced the extension of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) through 2027, with a further phase planned for 2027-2029. The Panel will continue to guide the global research agenda, support implementation of the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OHJPA), and drive high-level advocacy grounded in science and evidence. 

2. A unified strategy to tackle the threat of avian influenza  

The Quadripartite partners and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) presented a new Strategic Framework for Collaboration on avian influenza, aimed at strengthening coordination across surveillance, risk assessment, preparedness and response. The framework responds to the increasing spread of the disease across species and regions, and will support countries in shifting from fragmented approaches to a unified One Health strategy on avian influenza, addressing its impacts on public and animal health, food security, livelihoods, and biodiversity.  

3. Strengthening the One Health workforce through joint learning 

FAO, WHO and WOAH launched a Joint One Health Learning Taskforce (JOHLT) to strengthen workforce capacities at global, regional and national levels. Based on a competency-based and learner-centred approach, the initiative connects existing learning platforms and programmes to support both formal education and continuous professional development across sectors. It aims to harmonize training approaches, foster multi-stakeholder collaboration, and scale up effective One Health implementation through a skilled and empowered workforce.  

4. A new push to eliminate rabies by 2030 

Institut Pasteur, WHO, WOAH, and FAO, launched a renewed global initiative to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030, a disease that still kills nearly 60 000 people each year, many of them children. Led by endemic countries, the initiative will strengthen vaccination programmes, surveillance, and community engagement, demonstrating the effectiveness of prevention at source, and using rabies elimination as a model to strengthen broader One Health surveillance and preparedness systems. 

5. Advancing the role of veterinary services in pandemic preparedness 

Led by WOAH, in collaboration with WHO, a new “Beyond Silos” initiative aims to strengthen the integration of veterinary services into national pandemic preparedness and emergency response systems through a One Health, whole-of-government approach. Building on lessons from COVID-19, it includes the development of global guidance, pilot implementation through simulation exercises, and targeted advocacy to support long-term health security and resilience. 

“The five priority deliverables reflect a shared commitment to move from alignment to action,” said Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, Director of Animal Production and Health Division and Chief Veterinarian. “By working together across sectors and partners, we are helping countries reduce risks at their source, protect agrifood systems, and build more resilient and sustainable health systems.” 

The Summit delivered a clear message: health security begins with prevention, and prevention requires sustained investment in integrated One Health systems. Strengthening animal health systems could prevent significant economic losses, currently estimated at US$ 300 billion annually, while delivering high returns on investment and protecting livelihoods, food systems, and global stability.

Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health

“The health of people, animals and the planet is indivisible. When we degrade ecosystems, pollute the air we breathe and the water we drink, and destabilize the climate, we drive the very health crises we then scramble to contain,” said Doreen Robinson, Deputy Director, of the Ecosystem Division at the United Nations Environment Programme. “It was encouraging to see the Summit and the scientific conference shine a light on non-traditional One Health issues, including the environmental drivers of disease, that need sustained attention. It is crucial that we put this understanding into practice. Because investing in nature is an investment in health and well-being.”  

Together, the joint engagement and deliverables presented at the Summit illustrate the added value of the Quadripartite collaboration, combining joint action with complementary leadership across agencies to support countries in implementing the One Health approach.  

As global risks continue to intensify, partners called on governments, donors and stakeholders to sustain the momentum from the Summit by investing in integrated One Health systems and translating commitments into measurable results on the ground.

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For more information visit: 

• FAO: www.fao.org/one-health  
• UNEP: UNEP One Health | UNEP – UN Environment Programme 
• WHO: One health
• WOAH: One Health – WOAH – World Organisation for Animal Health 

Contact: 

At the One Health Summit held on 7 April 2026, hosted by France, global leaders, partners, and international organisations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a more integrated, preventive approach to health at the human–animal–environment interface. 

In the context of converging global crises—including unsustainable food production systems, climate change, biodiversity loss, and the growing threat of emerging and endemic infectious diseases—participants underscored the urgent need to move from fragmented responses to coordinated, systemic action. 

Today, nearly 75% of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals. At the same time, longstanding zoonotic diseases such as rabies and tuberculosis, along with vector-borne diseases, continue to cause preventable human deaths each year. These risks are further compounded by increasingly complex biological threats, whether natural, accidental, or deliberate.

Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), emphasised that animal health is not a sectoral issue, but a cornerstone of global health security, economic resilience, and sustainable development. 

Despite this, investment in prevention remains critically insufficient. Animal diseases are responsible for an estimated 20% loss in global livestock production, costing approximately USD 300 billion annually. Yet Veterinary Services receive on average only 0.05% of national GDP. By contrast, the estimated annual investment required to strengthen veterinary systems—USD 2.3 billion—is minimal relative to the cost of global crises and offers returns of up to 86%. 

In this context, WOAH strongly welcomes the leadership of France in convening the One Health Summit at a critical moment for collective action. 

President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the importance of health sovereignty, international solidarity, and strategic investment in prevention, stressing that global health security must be built through stronger multilateral cooperation and reinforced national systems. He called for scaling up efforts to anticipate risks at their source and to ensure that countries are equipped to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats in an increasingly interconnected world.  

Participants reaffirmed that health threats often emerge at the human–animal–environment interface, making strong animal health systems a first line of defence. Investing in these systems enables early detection, reduces pathogen amplification, and prevents local outbreaks from escalating into global crises. 

Concrete initiatives from WOAH and its partners presented at the Summit demonstrate how the One Health approach is being translated into action:

The Summit reaffirmed a clear message: health security begins with prevention, and prevention begins with One Health. 

“What we need now is investment, integration, and political commitment at scale.” – Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran, WOAH Director General

Investing in animal health and One Health systems delivers multiple benefits:

The transition from commitment to implementation is now critical. By shifting from reaction to prevention, and from fragmentation to integration, the global community can build a more resilient and secure future for all.