Acknowledging the interlinkages between human, animal and environmental health is the essence of the One Health approach which aims at designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes. The areas of work in which One Health approach is particularly relevant include food safety, control of zoonoses and combatting AMR. 

The concept has no sharply cut definition and there are different nuances. As it traditionally focused on zoonotic diseases and the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the numbers above show, that the connections between environmental and human health go obviously beyond that.

One Health therefore should strive for attaining optimal health for people, animals and the environment as this approach has emerged as a key tool for preventing and managing diseases occurring at the interface of human, animal and environment health.

It advocates – fully in line with the spirit of the 2030 Agenda - working in an intersectoral manner, breaking up silos. Such cooperation and coordination will also allow for better monitoring and emergency systems to prevent the global spread of diseases.

This event will focus on a broad understanding of One Health with experts from the UN and Member States and get a picture regarding its implementation in practice – both at global level and on the ground. We also have the opportunity to consider current bottlenecks for a more integrated approach on human, animal and environmental health in the UN and in Member States, and how we can overcome them, facilitating a broader uptake of the One Health approach.

Agenda

Moderation: Amb. Silvio Gonzato, Delegation of the European Union

Opening by the DPRs of the Delegation of the EU, Amb Silvio Gonzato, and the Mission of Costa Rica, Amb. Maritza Chan, to the UN

1) Background on the interlinkages between Health and the Environment

• Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health
• Doreen L. Robinson, Chief for Wildlife Ecosystem Division, UNEP

2) Implementation of the One Health Approach at country level

• Dr Uma Ramakrishnan, Molecular Ecologist at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India
• Dr. Sultani H. Matendechero, Head of Division of Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Ministry of Health, Kenya

3) Perspectives of Experts

• Thomas Gillespie, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
• Dr. Mark Schipp, President of the OIE World Assembly of Delegates, Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Australia

4) Q&A and discussion  

5) Brief concluding remarks by the DPR of the Delegation of the EU

Register by 7 October at 12 noon EST