Action for Animal Health celebrates successfully influencing a historic global agreement to prevent pandemics and build a healthier future for both animals and people
This morning, WHO members finally agreed on a historic, legally binding agreement to help the world prevent and prepare for future pandemics.
As a relevant stakeholder, Action for Animal Health has been at the forefront of advocating for a One Health approach, from inception to the last round of negotiations. We are delighted that our engagement in consultations, provision of recommendations and extensive lobbying efforts have been successful. This marks the first inclusion of One Health in a legally binding global treaty and provides a framework for integrating animal and environmental health into coordinated international action to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics. We are delighted to see our recommendations on One Health, animal health and prevention at source in the landmark agreement.
The human-animal disease interface is a downstream consequence of our interactions with and treatment of animals and the environment. Ecological degradation, commercial wildlife trade, and livestock farming are the key drivers of zoonotic spillover. We hope this landmark agreement will provide a foundation from which we, as a global community, can start to address some of the most appalling human-led behaviours and practices towards animals and the environment and build a healthier future for all.
We understand that the real work starts now. Action for Animal Health reiterates its willingness to provide technical advice and support to member states as they translate the treaty into action in the coming months and years.