Recent international health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, mpox, Ebola outbreaks, and continued threats of other zoonotic diseases, food safety, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) challenges, as well as ecosystem degradation and climate change clearly demonstrate the need for resilient health systems and accelerated global action.

Speaking at the One Planet Summit, in January 2021, FAO's Director-General, QU Dongyu, highlighted FAO's track records leading the work on  biodiversity across agriculture and food sectors, recognizing the importance of environmental sustainability as a key determinant of a long term "One...

In response to COVID-19 in Bangladesh, the United Nations initiated an intervention, under the leadership of the Directorate General of Health Services, to improve community-level case detection and risk mitigation. With expertise in addressing the challenges posed by pandemic threats, FAO piloted the initiative.

Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics play an important role in treating infections and diseases in humans, animals and plants. But their misuse and overuse leads to antimicrobial resistance, a major threat to our health.

The theme of WAAW 2023 is ‘Preventing antimicrobial resistance together’.

World Rabies Day is marked on September 28 and was created to raise awareness and advocate for rabies elimination globally.

FAO will co-lead the implementation of 12 projects worth $264 million aimed to boost local and global health security as part of The Pandemic Fund’s first round of financing. As one of the Implementing Entities, FAO will be at the forefront of driving change and progress with the One Health approach.

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu visited three laboratories in Zimbabwe that are contributing to One Health – an integrated, scientific approach to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment.