Minimizing future pandemics and support recovery in a post-COVID-19 world: the focus of a new White Paper

Protecting wildlife habitats, reducing urban demand for wild meat and early detection of disease outbreaks are among the recommendations to prevent the spread of future pandemics and avoid their damaging impacts, according to a White Paper issued by the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, an Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) initiative, funded by the European Union (EU) implemented by a consortium of partners including FAO.

Specialists from FAO, CIRAD, CIFOR and WCS who are the consortium partners, reviewed and analysed available scientific information on the causes of zoonotic disease spillover and their subsequent spread. The resulting White Paper, and an associated short 4-page Policy Brief, provide guidance on how to tackle the drivers of zoonotic disease emergence and recommendations on how to prevent, detect and respond to future outbreaks.

“In order to reduce the human-wildlife and livestock-wildlife risk of zoonotic disease spill-overs, we must avoid further ecosystem fragmentation, and restore and sustainably manage productive ecosystems and landscapes,” said the Deputy Director-General of FAO Ms Maria-Helena Semedo in her opening remarks.

Approximately 70 percent of emerging infectious diseases today, and almost all recent pandemics, originate from animals and particularly wildlife. This includes, for instance, the Ebola virus, Lassa virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

“This white paper studies the links from wildlife to humans and livestock to come to strong policy recommendations so that we can diminish the risks of such a pandemic happening again in the future,” said Philippe Mayaux, Team Leader for Biodiversity at the EU Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO).  “This is a big priority for the European Union, especially in the light of the European Green Deal which significantly changed the EU’s approach to nature and environment,” he added.

Cristelle Pratt, Assistant Secretary-General for Environment and Climate Action at the Organisation for African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) commended the consortium partners of the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme. "I believe that if we can commit to work together towards achieving these goals, we can be confident that we can achieve a brighter future for people and wildlife," she said.

The White Paper was launched on 28 October during a session of the Global Landscape Forum biodiversity conference “One World – One Health”. Both the White Paper and the accompanying Policy Brief call for a three-pronged approach to minimize the occurrence of future pandemics, namely:

PREVENT: Minimize the risks of exposure to wildlife pathogens. Priority actions include conserving wildlife habitats, reducing urban demand for wild meat, reinforcing controls on wildlife trade, promoting food safety and hygiene standards and developing sustainable and safe local food systems. 

DETECT: Ensure the early detection and reporting of future zoonotic spillover and disease outbreaks. Especially, efforts should be put on risk assessments and mapping, and developing effective surveillance systems, which are integrated with national public health systems.

RESPOND: Put in place effective One Health policy, regulatory and operational systems. Supporting and investing in the One Health approach, which ensures collaborative, multisectoral, and trans-disciplinary solutions, is critical.

The SWM Programme is a consortium-led initiative to improve the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife in forest, savannah and wetland ecosystems. Field projects are being implemented in 13 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. For more information, please visit their website.

The recording of the event is available here.