January 12, 2023

New initiative aims to intergrate cross-sectoral approach for animal, human health

Side events that took place during the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 15) in Montreal, Canada, last month addressed linkages between biodiversity and health, the Common Approach on Biodiversity and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Coalition for Nature and regional approaches to address biodiversity loss.

One event themed, "Unveiling the First Nature for Health Investments for Preventing Pandemics Together", introduced the Nature for Health (N4H) initiative, which aims to demonstrate the linkages between biodiversity, climate change, and pandemics, and to advance implementation of One Health at the national level. The first investments in this initiative were also presented.

During the event, Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said N4H aims to prevent pandemics, strengthen environmental aspects related to health, and integrate a cross-sectoral approach for animal and human health.

Ecuador, Ghana, Mongolia, Rwanda, Vietnam and Zambia are the first six countries to join N4H.

Speakers during the event shared Rwanda's plan for surveillance systems to better address outbreaks and research facilities to respond to human-animal zoonoses; explained that Ecuador has begun to improve biosecurity systems in controlling wildlife-based diseases through biodiversity conservation; highlighted an inter-ministerial initiative in Mongolia to address human and livestock health and biodiversity, noting support from N4H to implement it; described the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) work in addressing transboundary ecosystems within the One Health context; and underlined the critical role of veterinary services.

Omnia El Omrani, Youth Envoy for the UNFCCC COP 27 President, urged medical sectors to promote One Health, and called for consulting and learning from youth practitioners who want to prevent crises and not just respond to them.

Steffi Lemke, Germany, said N4H will be expanded to 50 countries with high zoonotic risk.

The event was organised by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), N4H, the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), IUCN and EcoHealth Alliance.

- SDG Knowledge Hub