FAO in Geneva - One Health Dialogue Series
The health of the environment is a critical foundation for the health and well-being of humans, animals and plants. Environmental degradation caused by human activities poses several health threats that are invariably complex and rooted in how humans interact with and use the environment. The environmental sector, which consists of areas such as natural resource management, wildlife management and conservation, biodiversity conservation, management and sustainable use, and pollution and waste management is not always routinely incorporated into the One Health approach and there has been limited engagement in cross-sectoral initiatives. The role of the environmental determinants of health has not been well understood by other sectors and there is good potential to integrate environmental considerations more consistently (FAO/UNEP/WOAH/WHO One Health Joint Plan of Action, 2022).
This session of the FAO in Geneva One Health series dialogue showcased concrete examples from countries of how to integrate Environment and One Health at the community, national, regional and global levels, and discussed the challenges faced during the implementation of One Health programs and activities as well as their sustainability.
Programme:
1. Introduction/Moderator: Dominique Burgeon, Director, FAO Liaison Office in Geneva
2. Summary from previous One Health Dialogue on Workforce Development: Ms Barbara Alessandrini, Head of the Capacity-Building Department, World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) TBC
3. Session 1: Presentations from countries
a. Habitat fragmentation, species diversity loss and disease emergence in Mexico: Dr. Gerardo Suzan, Head of the Linkage department, School of Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry (FMVZ), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
b. Fall Armyworm response, including the alternative pest management solutions with positive human and environmental health outcomes: country and speaker TBC
4. Session 2: Discussion Panel facilitated by Wondwosen Asnake Kibret, Programme Management Officer, UNEP
a. Kevin J. Olival, PhD, Vice President for Research, EcoHealth Alliance
b. Dr Sinaia Netanyahu, Programme Manager, WHO/EURO, European Centre for Environment and Health
c. Harold van der Valk, Pesticide Management and Environmental Expert, Rotterdam Convention and International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management
d. Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) - Speaker TBC
5. Short interventions:
a. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and One Health: Ms. Laetitia Sieffert, Programme Management Officer, Health and Biodiversity at UN Biodiversity
b. Environmental sector mapping and Needs assessment tool: Scott Newman, Senior Animal Health & Production Officer, FAO
6. Open Discussion and Q/A (remarks from Permanent Missions, FAO, WOAH, WHO, UNEP)
7. Closing remarks by Mr. Thanawat Tiensin, Director of FAO Animal Production and Health Division (NSA), FAO
Recording of the session can be seen here with the passcode: 4gu.#5Cn
More about the One Health Dialogue Series
Organized by FAO in Geneva with WOAH (founded as OIE), WHO and UNEP, the One Health Dialogue Series is undertaken in support of FAO’s strategic framework in general and its One Health Program Priority Area (PPA - BP3) in particular. It aims to increase awareness on the complexity and magnitude of the issue and ultimately ground policy making at all levels in field realities. The One Health Dialogue Series is a key activity fully aligned with PPA-BP3 and the six action tracks of the new FAO/UNEP/WHO/WOAH One Health Joint Plan of Action as well as the business model of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva.
The objectives of the One Health Dialogue Series are to promote One Health in the Geneva health, humanitarian and development community and to sensitize on the magnitude of animal diseases, including zoonotic diseases, and AMR related risk, as well as on the relevance of the One Health approach as an integral part of workforce development in the context of Agenda 2030, with a view to promote and increase and sustain investments in One Health systems.
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