One Health in 2025: Achievements, turning points and the road ahead

The One Health approach has continued to gain political traction and practical relevance in 2025. Guided by the Quadripartite collaboration (FAO, UNEP, WHO, WOAH), the global community made notable strides this year, even as accelerating climate impacts and new disease dynamics tested health systems’ resilience.

What have been the major highlights shaping One Health in 2025 and the challenges that will define its trajectory in 2026?

Antimicrobial resistance: A global Treaty moment

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the most pressing health threats worldwide. In 2025, political momentum surged as AMR took center stage in international forums and was reaffirmed as a central pillar of the newly adopted WHO Pandemic Agreement. Governments increasingly recognized that AMR cannot be tackled by the health sector alone – it demands coordinated action across agriculture, environmental management, and food systems.

Progress was evident: more countries adopted AMR stewardship plans inclusive of veterinary and environmental measures, and new investments supported sustainable agrifood practices designed to reduce antimicrobial use. AMR mitigation remains uneven, with many low- and middle-income countries still facing barriers such as limited diagnostic capacity, insufficient farmer training, and lack of affordable alternatives to antimicrobials. These gaps threaten to widen without sustained financing and coordinated global support.

⦿ One Health global policies and declarations

Zoonotic disease surveillance prevention and preparedness: Stronger systems, uneven reach

Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases continued to test national and global preparedness. Countries benefited from improved early warning tools, digital surveillance platforms, and expanded field epidemiology training. However, disparities remained stark. Fragile and conflict-affected regions continued to struggle with limited laboratory infrastructure and unpredictable access to veterinary and public health services. Even where digital platforms were deployed, connectivity, data sharing, and long-term sustainability remained critical hurdles.

The Pandemic Fund’s support provided a much-needed boost, enabling several countries to scale up diagnostics, field surveillance, and multi-sector coordination. But as disease risks evolve rapidly – including the continued spread of avian influenza in wildlife and mammals – closing surveillance gaps remains a top priority.

⦿ One Health: A collaborative approach to preventing the next pandemic

Climate change: Escalating risks at the human–animal–plant–environment interface

Few issues shaped the One Health narrative in 2025 more than climate change. Wildfires, extreme heat, altered rainfall patterns, and ecosystem degradation intensified health risks worldwide. Vector-borne diseases expanded into new geographies. Floods triggered spikes in waterborne illnesses. Wildlife displacement, livestock stress, and crop failures increased vulnerabilities for communities on the margins.

Global climate negotiations recognized these realities. At COP29 and regional climate discussions, governments and agencies emphasized that climate action and One Health cannot be separated. Ecosystem restoration, climate-resilient agriculture, and nature-based solutions were increasingly highlighted as essential components of disease prevention.

⦿ One Health at COP30: Integrating climate, nature, and health for a sustainable future

Environmental integration: Slow but significant progress

2025 saw growing recognition of environmental health as a core pillar of One Health. Biodiversity COP discussions emphasized the role of ecosystem restoration in preventing zoonotic spillover and maintaining food security. Countries increasingly acknowledged the need to embed health considerations into biodiversity planning and land-use policy.

Projects aimed at restoring wetlands, forests, and degraded landscapes gained momentum, supported by new research linking ecosystem loss to disease emergence. However, institutional silos still limit the integration of environmental metrics into health planning. Many countries lack frameworks to coordinate environment, agriculture, and health agencies in a sustained, systematic manner.

⦿  Plastic pollution and agrifood systems: Why One Health matters now more than ever

Food security and sustainable agriculture: transition underway

Unsustainable agricultural practices continue to drive deforestation, biodiversity loss, and AMR risk, making the shift to sustainable agrifood systems critical for One Health. In 2025, FAO expanded training on agroecology and regenerative agriculture, highlighting successful models that reduce chemical inputs and strengthen soil and ecosystem health.

Nevertheless, adoption remains slow. Smallholder farmers often face limited market access, financial constraints, and policy environments that favour intensive practices. Meanwhile, agribusiness lobbying creates resistance to regulatory change in some regions.

⦿ How agroecology supports One Health

Community engagement and equity: Progress, but gaps remain

Community-led approaches gained recognition in 2025 as essential to sustainable One Health implementation. Initiatives supporting Indigenous and rural communities expanded, with greater emphasis on participatory research, co-designed interventions, and youth engagement. Campaigns highlighting the role of young farmers and conservation leaders gained visibility globally.

But the communities most impacted by zoonotic disease risks – particularly pastoralists and remote farming communities – still face limited access to veterinary care, extension services, and public health resources. Strengthening local veterinary networks, community-based surveillance, and inclusive governance remains crucial for equitable One Health outcomes.

⦿ Why youth are key to One Health’s success: Empowering the next generation for global resilience

2025 was a pivotal year for One Health – with stronger political alignment, more investment instruments, and deeper recognition of the risks posed by AMR, zoonoses, and climate change. Yet the next phase, into 2026, will test whether these gains can be translated into sustained, equitable action on the ground.