The Quadripartite collaboration on One Health, comprising the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), co-hosted a G20 High-Level Meeting on One Health, emphasizing the critical need for coordinated action to address interconnected health challenges. 

This event, held under Brazil's G20 presidency, featured a panel discussion titled “Creating an Enabling Environment for One Health Implementation,” which focused on strengthening governance, multisectoral coordination, and sustainable financing to advance the One Health approach worldwide.

One Health is a multidisciplinary initiative that integrates human, animal, plant, and environmental health to improve overall health outcomes. Brazil's Health Minister, Dr. Nísia Trindade, highlighted the urgency of implementing One Health strategies, especially as climate change exacerbates health risks. “In Brazil, we launched the Interinstitutional Technical Committee for One Health to establish a national plan. This is one of our priority agendas at the G20. We live in a world with multiple crises—climate, health, economic, food, and energy. This debate can no longer be postponed,” Trindade emphasized.

The panel highlighted the role of Brazil, Indonesia, and India in keeping One Health at the forefront of the G20 agenda. Ministerial speakers underscored the importance of global cooperation, citing effective governance and multisectoral frameworks as pillars for addressing health threats like zoonotic diseases and climate-induced health challenges. Through shared knowledge and collaboration, ministers aimed to create a unified environment that strengthens One Health at regional and national levels.

Representatives from each Quadripartite organization emphasized the benefits of the integrated approach. FAO’s Assistant Director-General, Thanawat Tiensin, outlined FAO’s expertise in managing animal health, food safety, and crop production as part of One Health implementation in agrifood systems. “The G20 Health Ministerial Declaration represents a vital step towards integrating a One Health approach globally. FAO welcomes this commitment as a united strategy to address complex health challenges,” he said.

UNEP’s Ligia Noronha called for expanding One Health beyond public and veterinary health sectors to include environmental and social sciences. “I call on the G20 to give every voice, every discipline, and every sector equal weight and start focusing more on preventative actions. This will save lives, save money, and boost health for people and the planet,” Noronha stated, emphasizing the broader societal benefits of preventive measures.

WHO’s Deputy Director-General, Dr. Michael Ryan, highlighted the organization’s commitment to resilience and prevention within One Health. “WHO’s role extends far beyond crisis response; we are dedicated to prevention, preparedness, and building sustainable health systems,” he noted. Dr. Ryan underscored that One Health “should not be a slogan but a concrete outcome that benefits all countries and communities.”

Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of WOAH, also spoke to the importance of sectoral collaboration. “The G20’s commitment to advancing the One Health approach marks a crucial step in safeguarding global health. We are proud to support Veterinary Services and contribute to this global movement to build resilient health systems,” Soubeyran said, acknowledging WOAH’s role in strengthening animal health within the Quadripartite.

The discussions also reinforced commitments from the G20 Health Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change, Health, and Equity. The declaration recognizes the importance of the One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022-2026) and draws upon the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) for scientific guidance, supporting policies grounded in evidence.

As the G20 nations continue to prioritize One Health, the Quadripartite collaboration, alongside the G20, aims to enhance health systems' resilience, fostering global health outcomes that safeguard both people and the planet. The event marks a significant milestone in the journey towards building health systems capable of addressing the complex, interconnected challenges of today and the future.