G20 countries agree to implement One Health for a better global health security
Lombok (10/6) - The COVID-19 pandemic has reiterated that previously unknown diseases can emerge at any time, threatening health, well-being, and economies of all societies. Interactions at the human-animal-environment interface are the basis of the emergence of such diseases, therefore, a One Health approach to prevent, detect and control emerging zoonotic diseases is paramount.
"There is no health without One Health," said Indonesian Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, in his opening remarks at the G20 One Health Side Event entitled “Implementing One Health to Achieve Health Security for Economic Stability.” Sadikin further emphasized the urgent need of international collaboration to sustainably prevent and contain future pandemics through One Health as a long-term, viable, and sustainable approach.
Keith Sumption, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), reaffirmed Sadikin's statement. "We will not prevent future pandemics without One Health, because One Health is the essential part of preventing, and managing spillovers from animals to humans", said Sumption. He explained that One Health is about protecting the lives of people, plants, animals, and our ecosystems, recognizing how the health of each part is connected. Since community health has ripple effects on livelihoods, ensuring a One Health approach at the global, regional, and country levels is critical for progress to control zoonotic diseases, tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and ensure safe and nutritious food for everyone. “It is vital to include One Health as a part of the global health architecture, which is one of the Indonesia's G20 presidency priorities," he concluded.
In supporting the recovery of global health security, G20 member countries reflected on the Lombok One Health Brief that sets out ten recommendations to strengthen and mainstream the One Health approach at all levels.
The brief urges the G20 to embrace the One Health Joint Plan of Action (JPA) developed by Quadripartite—FAO, World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)—as an operational framework to achieve national targets and priorities for One Health interventions. Other recommendations are to mainstream One Health and help generate an enabling environment for its implementation by mobilising resources, partnerships, and sustained investment as well as facilitating One Health knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Being the chair of G20 this year, Indonesia holds a strategic position and opportunity to share One Health best practices and knowledge with the rest of the world in order to transform global health architecture, while also contributing to long-term economic growth and stability.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been working with Government of Indonesia for more than 50 years to strengthen environmental sustainability, economic growth, and health. FAO with support of USAID will continue to support Indonesia in implementing One Health in the areas of food security and safety, sustainable agriculture, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), nutrition, animal and plant health, fisheries, and livelihoods.