43rd Session of the FAO Conference - Side Event: “How our agrifood systems shape our One Health: what are the priorities for attention in developing national pathways for change?” - Opening Remarks

 43^rd Session of the FAO Conference

Side Event:

“How our agrifood systems shape our One Health: what are the priorities for attention in developing national pathways for change?” 

Opening Remarks

By

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General 

Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (12:30-14:00 hours)

 

Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Colleagues,

 

I am pleased to address this important dialogue on the nexus between agrifood systems and One Health.

 

To achieve agrifood systems transformation that ensures the production of safe and nutritious food in a sustainable manner, while promoting equitable livelihoods.

 

We must recognize that the health of humans, animals and plants, soil, water and the environment are deeply interconnected - and agrifood systems are the common thread.

 

We need to ensure that our actions are inclusive of all partners, and are cross sectoral. The One Health approach addresses these requirements holistically and coherently.

 

One Health contributes to national transformative pathways by addressing the complex challenges of zoonotic diseases, non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, pandemic and endemics, the impacts of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.  

 

For this reason, the One Health Programme Priority Area is one of 20 flagship programmes set out in the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, and its implementation is based on leveraging the strength of our partnerships.

 

We cannot work in isolation, in silos.

 

Together with our Quadripartite Partners – the World Health Organization, the UN Environment Programme and the World Organisation for Animal Health – we have developed the One Health Joint Plan of Action.

 

Agrifood systems are a priority for the Quadripartite, and other key partners, because of their potential to catalyse sustainable outcomes.

 

Today’s discussion serves as a call to action to prioritize One Health in agrifood systems at the international level through global mechanisms such as the New Pandemic Instrument and the Pandemic Fund, as well as One Health policies, strategies, and plans that can support wide implementation.  

 

We must accelerate the implementation of One Health plans in support of national One Health governance and multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms. 

 

We must strengthen and sustain prevention efforts to address the root causes of pandemics and health threats, targeting activities that increase the risk of zoonotic spill over.  

 

We need knowledge-sharing, research and innovation – especially for the new generation - for integrated science-based decision-making.

 

We need streamlined and scaled-up investment and financing for One Health Plans and Strategies, in particular for the agrifood sector.

 

Political commitment is crucial, but we also need society-wide participation because we are all together on this small planet, and the health of global agrifood systems is critical for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all of us, ensuring that no one is left behind!

 

Thank you all.