FAO Chief Economist at Financing for Development Forum Informal meeting – 'Financing the SDGs by increasing fiscal space for an inclusive and sustainable recovery’

Informal meeting of the Financing for Development Forum (FFD)

Financing the SDGs by increasing fiscal space for an inclusive and sustainable recovery

Remarks from the floor by FAO, delivered by

Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York, QU Guangzhou

Thank you, Chairman.

What lesson is taken from the [COVID-19] pandemic?

FAO’s key message is the One Health approach. 

There has been under-investment in prevention through a One Health approach that importantly recognizes the interconnections between the health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment.

COVID-19 has underlined that we cannot ignore the fact that 60% of emerging human diseases are of animal origin.

The true scale of the return on investment in One Health prevention measures is manifold, be it through curbing the encroachment on unique ecosystems, reducing biodiversity loss, or promoting joined-up surveillance, response and disease management; trillions can be saved and invested for good returns.

FAO, together with the Quadripartite, that means, FAO, OIE, UNEP and WHO, have recently drafted a One Health Joint Plan of Action that serves as a blueprint for greater investment at all levels. Presented to the G20 Health and Finance Task Force, at their third meeting in April, it was met with resounding support.

We will collectively continue to call on all countries and all streams of international finance to invest in One Health action. It will take a whole-of society-approach, vitally including the private sector. 

There is no viable pandemic prevention without a One Health approach.

I thank you, Chair.