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One Health

© FAO:Tofik Babayev

The One Health approach is good for people, animals and the planet

Unsustainable production and consumption patterns are leading to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss along with increasing frequency and severity of interlinked human and animal health threats. Adopting a One Health approach recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment -  offers promising solutions for addressing unprecedented challenges facing people, animals, and the planet.

Since 2022, FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH have worked together as the Quadripartite to advance the One Health approach worldwide. Significant steps included advocating for the integration of One Health principles into agendas and policies on the global stage including the G7 and G20 engagements, as well as the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) tasked to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instruments on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

Alongside this month’s sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, the Quadripartite is hosting its second session of the Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting (QEAM-2). The meeting brings together the four organizations to discuss how the Quadripartite can:.

  • Promote and support the implementation of the One Health Joint Plan of Action at country level
  • Generate and share science and evidence for the implementation of the One Health approach
  • Maintain the political engagement and advocacy for One Health
  • Maintain and strengthen the Quadripartite’s joint coordination functions.

Guidance on the One Health Joint Plan of Action Implementation

After the launch of the Joint Plan of Action in October 2022, the Quadripartite has supported national action, including formulating and publishing technical policy guidance documents, such as One Health and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework - Guidance for United Nations Country Teams and the guide to implementing the One Health Joint Plan of Action at national-level.

Strengthening science, knowledge and evidence base

A cornerstone of the Quadripartite's work is enhancing science, knowledge, and evidence to improve One Health in practice. In 2023, the One Health High-Level Expert Panel collated existing One Health resources and tools, developed a white paper on One Health surveillance systems, and a paper on the prevention of zoonotic spillover to advocate for mitigation of zoonotic spillover and disease spread. A collaborative One Health Intelligence Scoping Study evaluated global intelligence prospects and proposed a framework for establishing a One Health Intelligence System.

Raising political will and ambition

Recognizing the importance of political will in driving the adoption of One Health, the Quadripartite has collaborated with the One Health Group of Friends to ensure the holistic integration of One Health principles in the INB process mentioned above for the pandemic agreement.

Mobilizing sustainable investments

The Quadripartite created the Community of Practice (CoP) for Return on Investment in One Health and the One Health Investment Planning pilot in selected countries. The Community of Practice serves as an inclusive, multidisciplinary platform where members can exchange insights, experiences, and evidence about investment returns, economic evaluations and strategic planning.

Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting (QEAM 2)

29 February to 6 March 2024
Nairobi, Kenya

Find out more
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Quadripartite collaboration

The Quadripartite agencies (FAO, WHO, UNEP and WOAH) develop and implement multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary approaches to complex health challenges at the animal-human-plant-environment interface.

FAO's role in One Health

FAO supports Members to build and implement effective collaborative One Health strategies and capacities, for improving the health of people, animals, plants and the environment.