The interplay between infectious diseases and wildlife, people and their livelihoods has always been an intrinsic part of human existence. Until recently, however, this nexus has been minimally considered in research and policy. The need for change is increasingly recognized following the emergence of zoonotic diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza, Nipah virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the cause of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the threats to health, economies and societies that these interactions have produced, wildlife remains essential to the livelihoods of countless rural communities, particularly those of Indigenous Peoples. There is an urgent need for action to mitigate or prevent future calamities and promote sustainable coexistence between people and wildlife.

This first information brief on the wildlife –livelihoods –health nexus in Asia and the Pacific is intended to shed light on the current landscape of human–wildlife–health interactions, examine the challenges, and the existing and potential opportunities for change. The brief concludes with recommendations for policymakers on how to better protect all species, livelihoods and societies. The recommendations are expected to stimulate coordinated actions and promote policy changes and investments across sustainable use and management of wildlife resources, rural livelihoods, and One Health.

The recommendations in this brief target government authorities responsible for managing natural resources (including forests, wildlife and protected areas), rural development and One Health at national, regional, and local levels. They also target the donor community, the private sector, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society, including formal and informal organizations representing Indigenous Peoples.

This brief was produced through an extensive consultative process involving an interdisciplinary group of over 120 scientific, technical and policy experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW), research institutions, universities, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), NGOs and individuals.