“Embedding animal health into discussions on food systems transformation, climate adaptation and global health security will help translate One Health commitments into concrete action”
veterinary services and robust disease surveillance are not luxuries – they are essential to prevent outbreaks, safeguard livestock production, and ensure safe and resilient food systems. The climate crisis adds urgency. Climate change is altering the distribution of vectors and pathogens and increasing the risk of transboundary animal diseases and zoonotic spillover. At the same time, livestock systems must adapt to envi- ronmental pressures while maintaining productivity. Strengthening veterinary services and surveillance systems helps countries manage climate-sensitive diseases and build more resilient agri- cultural systems. Yet investment tells a different story: less than 0.1% of global climate finance supports livestock sys- tems, and under 2% of adaptation finance reaches animal health. This gap is not just striking – it is dangerous. ANIMAL HEALTH AT THE NEXUS OF CLIMATE, FOOD AND BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity, too, is linked to animal health. Mounting pressures on ecosys- tems and wildlife habitats are intensifying interactions among wildlife, livestock and people. Preventing disease spill over between wild and domestic animals is essential to safeguarding biodiversity and reducing the risk of emerging zoonotic diseases. Strengthened surveillance, responsible wildlife management and coordinated health systems across sec- tors are therefore essential components of global prevention strategies. These realities underscore a simple truth: the health of people, animals and ecosystems is inseparable. This is the foundation of the One Health approach. The World Organisation for Animal Health works closely with its Quadripar- tite partners – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme – to translate this concept into practical action. Through the One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022–2026) and its Implemen- tation Guide, countries are supported in strengthening governance, institutional capacities and data systems. Aligning investments with these frameworks can help countries operationalise One Health and strengthen pandemic prevention. Pandemic prevention offers perhaps the clearest case for action. Most emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, making early detection and prevention
essential. Yet many countries lack the veterinary capacity, laboratory networks and surveillance systems required to act in time. According to joint analyses by the World Bank and WOAH, closing the global financing gap for veterinary services would cost an estimated $2.1–2.3 billion annually – a modest sum compared to the trillions lost to a single global pandemic. This is not spending; it is insurance. A G7 IMPLEMENTATION AGENDA Combating antimicrobial resistance is another shared priority. Responsible anti- microbial use in animals is critical to preserving the effectiveness of life-saving medicines. Progress relies on coordinated, multisectoral action that WOAH supports countries with – another test of our commitment to One Health. International trade also depends on strong animal health governance. Transparent, science-based standards developed by WOAH and recognised by the World Trade Organization help ensure safe and fair trade in animals and animal products. Strong veterinary systems can implement these standards effectively, building trust in global markets while protecting public and animal health. The G7 has a unique opportunity to accelerate progress. By investing in veterinary services, strengthening disease surveillance and supporting One Health governance, G7 members can help prevent future pandemics while reinforcing food security, climate resilience and biodiver- sity protection. Embedding animal health into discussions on food systems trans- formation, climate adaptation and global health security will help translate One Health commitments into concrete action. For a fraction of the cost of the next global crisis, we can build resilient animal health systems that help prevent pan- demics, stabilise food systems and reduce environmental pressures. The return on investment is undeniable. Évian should mark a shift in perspec- tive. Animal health is not peripheral – it is foundational.
// EMMANUELLE SOUBEYRAN
Emmanuelle Soubeyran has been director-general of the World Organisation for Animal Health since 2024. A doctor of veterinary medicine with a specialty in veterinary public health, crisis management and One Health, and experi- enced in addressing animal health issues at national and international levels, she has been at the forefront of man- aging significant health crises, including avian influenza and bluetongue and has led the development of emergency response plans and preventive measures against influenza, African swine fever and zoon- oses. From 2016 to 2021, she served as dean of the National Veterinary School of Lyon.
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