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One Health in Agrifood systems

he concept of One Health is based food and nutrition security standpoint, mitted to advancing the One Health
Ton the recognition that the health One Health helps to ensure that we pro- approach at high-level political forums,
of people, animals and ecosystems are duce the amount of safe, nutritious food ensuring its integration into global poli-
closely interrelated, and FAO promotes necessary, but we do so in a manner that cy discussions.
this approach as part of agrifood system is sustainable, climate-smart, efficient, What challenges might a coun-
transformation. FAO aims to achieve en- economically viable and does not im- try face when implementing One
hanced national, regional, and global pact the health of the environment or Health?
animal, aquaculture, plant, forest, and ecosystems. From infectious animal dis-
ecosystem health through improved ease standpoint, One Health means that And what are the main challenges fac-
systems-based One Health approach- we not only undertake multi-sectoral ing the four organizations in advancing
es and capacities for pest and disease surveillance and outbreak response the One Health agenda?
prevention, early warning, and man- and disease control (humans, livestock,
agement of national and global health wildlife), but we also address the up- While the Quadripartite collaboration
threats, including chemicals, pesticides, stream drivers of disease emergence, has been strengthened over the years,
invasive alien species, AMR, and other which are often linked to deforestation, there are still some challenges in push-
threats to biodiversity. The Quadripar- changes in habitats, behavioral choices ing forward the One Health agenda.
tite - which includes FAO, the United Na- and other anthropogenic factors. Estab- One key challenge is aligning the di-
tions Environment Programme (UNEP), lishing collaborations among the whole verse priorities, mandates, and opera-
the World Health Organization (WHO), of society across technical sectors en- tional structures of the four organiza-
and the World Organisation for Animal ables countries to address complex tions while ensuring that we maintain
Health (WOAH) - jointly works to pro- problems for which no single technical a unified and coherent approach. This
mote an integrated, systems approach to sector has the expertise to solve. Solu- requires regular communication, agree-
health challenges at the human-animal- tions tend to be more dynamic, take on ments and flexibility to accommodate
plant-environment interface, in order to a systems approach, and result in more different organizational perspectives
prevent, predict, detect, and respond to efficient and impa while staying focused on the common
health threats through coordinated One goal of advancing One Health. Another
Health strategies and to promote health What are the advantages of the work challenge consists in securing sustained
of different populations. the Quadripartite is doing on One political commitment and funding at the
Health? global, national, and local levels. The
Countries are also embracing One One Health approach requires long-
Health and are at different implemen- The main benefits of the Quadripar- term investment in infrastructure, ca-
tation stages, developing multisectoral tite’s work on One Health lie in its abil- pacity building, and coordination, which
approaches, establishing coordination ity to foster collaboration across key can sometimes be difficult to prioritize
mechanisms, and developing their na- sectors: human, animal, environment, given competing health, environmental,
tional One Health strategies, among and plant health. By bringing together and economic concerns. Additionally,
other activities. expertise from FAO, WHO, WOAH, and implementing the One Health approach
UNEP, the Quadripartite is able to fos-
Subject matter experts Scott Newman ter collaborations to address complex, often involves overcoming existing silos
and Fairouz Larfaoui both contribute to interconnected challenges in a more within sectors. Many countries still work
the One Health approach and can help joined-up manner. This collaborative within distinct silos of human, animal,
us understand the role the FAO Virtual approach ensures that we tackle health and ecosystem health, and integrating
Learning Centers have in supporting risks at their source, whether they these sectors can be a slow and com-
One Health operationalization at both emerge from the environment, animals, plex process that requires changing
global and national levels. or humans, thereby strengthening our both policies and mindsets.
What are the main benefits a coun- capacity to improve health systems. Ad- Finally, the growing complexity of
try will get from implementing One ditionally, the work of the Quadripartite global health threats, including emerg-
Health? helps to create a more integrated and ing zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial
sustainable approach to health that not resistance, and climate change, means
A One Health approach balances the only improves the response to zoonotic that the One Health approach must con-
needs of people, animals, and the en- diseases and other global health threats tinually adapt and evolve. This requires
vironment and ensures that progress but also contributes to long-term goals a flexible, responsive, and coordinated
towards the sustainable development such as food security, biodiversity con- effort to address these dynamic chal-
goals takes into consideration the lim- servation, and climate change mitiga- lenges in a way that is both timely and
ited natural resources available. From a tion. The Quadripartite is also com- effective.

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