On the occasion of One Health Day 2025, the Regional Representatives and Directors in Africa from the Quadripartite Regional Coordination Group—comprising the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)—reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing the One Health approach. This approach aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems, recognizing their deep interconnection and shared vulnerabilities.
Africa continues to face multiple and recurring health challenges at the human–animal–environment interface, including outbreaks of zoonotic diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, Avian Influenza, Mpox, Marburg, and Ebola, as well as persistent neglected zoonoses like rabies, brucellosis, and zoonotic tuberculosis. The misuse of antibiotics in healthcare and agriculture has further fueled the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), posing severe threats to human, animal, and environmental health. These issues are compounded by environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change, all of which weaken ecosystem resilience and disrupt the natural balance required for sustainable health systems.
The Quadripartite emphasized that tackling these complex challenges requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, with strong participation from the private sector and civil society. They highlighted the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA) and its Implementation Guide as key tools providing a strategic framework for multisectoral collaboration, policy alignment, and evidence-based action. These frameworks aim to help countries strengthen coordination, build capacity, and mobilize resources for sustainable health outcomes.
A critical priority outlined in the statement is mobilizing financing for One Health implementation. Through the Quadripartite Joint Offer, member states are encouraged to invest in preventive, preparedness-oriented approaches rather than reactive responses. The statement noted that preventive investments through the One Health approach deliver strong long-term returns by reducing the costs and impacts of health emergencies.
To accelerate One Health implementation in Africa, the Quadripartite called for increased investment in foundational elements such as policy and legislative frameworks, governance mechanisms, institutional capacity building, and data and knowledge exchange systems. Initiatives like the Pandemic Fund projects in Africa, which currently support 26 countries, were cited as examples of impactful investment in upstream preventive measures.
Acknowledging limited funding resources, the Quadripartite urged governments, development partners, and the private sector to pool resources and explore innovative financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships and blended finance to sustain One Health initiatives. Domestic budget allocations and new partnerships will be key to achieving long-term sustainability.
The Regional Quadripartite Coordination Group reiterated its readiness to support African countries through technical assistance, policy guidance, and strategic advocacy. Commending the efforts of African institutions, the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and development partners, the group emphasized the need to embed the One Health approach into national development plans, health security strategies, biodiversity action plans, and climate resilience frameworks.
The statement concluded with a unified vision of building a healthier and more resilient Africa, where the health of people, animals, plants, and ecosystems is safeguarded through collaboration, innovation, and sustainable action.
