Quadripartite meeting in Vienna advances One Health in Europe and Central Asia

A three-day seminar on One Health, co-organized by 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), concluded on 13 June in Vienna. The meeting, hosted by the Austrian Ministry of Health and held at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, brought together representatives from 38 government agencies across Europe and Central Asia, including ministries of health, agriculture, and environment as well as regional and subregional organizations, institutions, collaborating centres, reference laboratories, relevant actors. 

The COVID-19 pandemic, which originated from an animal source, highlighted the vital role of the One Health approach to combat and prevent zoonoses. This seminar was a unique opportunity to discuss and identify opportunities and best practices for operationalizing One Health to address health threats originating in the human-animal-environment interface in Europe and Central Asia. The One Health Joint Plan of Action and its accompanying implementation guide provided a key framework for discussions. These tools outline a clear vision, concrete workplan, and a theory of change with six action tracks to guide multi-sectoral collaboration, and equip countries to prevent future outbreaks and build a more resilient health system through collaboration between human health, animal health, and environmental sectors.

The seminar featured presentations from various countries showcasing successful implementations of the One Health approach in their regions. Discussions focused on strengthening cross-border collaboration, particularly in disease surveillance, data sharing, and knowledge exchange. Additionally, participants emphasized the importance of integrating One Health concepts into the curricula of professionals working in human health, animal health, and the environment.

A parallel meeting under the umbrella of the Regional One Health Coordination Mechanism for Europe took place alongside the seminar. This meeting brought together partners that included regional institutions, resource partners, academia, and collaborating centers. Their discussions focused on future collaborative actions to support member countries in Europe and Central Asia in advancing One Health implementation.

This cooperation holds the potential to build a healthier future for all by addressing health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface.