Today, the Fourth Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting will convene in Lyon, France 8-9 April 2026. The meeting will focus on preventing future health crises through more integrated systems for managing the health of animals, humans, plants and ecosystems.
Preventing future health crises requires urgent, coordinated action that recognizes the deep interconnections between the health of people, animals, plants and ecosystems. As global challenges intensify – including emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, environmental degradation, biopersity loss and climate change, this coordinated work between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the WHO, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) – also known as the "One Health" approach, has become increasingly important.
"The health of humans, animals and the environment are inextricably interwoven, and we cannot protect one without protecting all three," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO. "WHO is privileged to assume the chair of the Quadripartite at a critical moment for global health. At a time of rising and interconnected challenges, the Quadripartite partnership is more important than ever in bringing together expertise across human, animal, plant and environmental health to drive coordinated global action through a fully integrated One Health approach."
Building on the One Health Joint Plan of Action , the Quadripartite is advancing progress across four interdependent priority areas:
- advancing implementation at country level: Translating commitments into action remains a central priority. The Quadripartite continues to support countries in operationalizing the One Health approach through strengthened multisectoral coordination, national planning processes, and capacity development. Scaling up implementation is critical to achieving tangible and measurable impact;
- strengthening science, evidence and knowledge exchange: Effective One Health action relies on robust scientific evidence and integrated data across sectors. The Quadripartite is fostering collaboration with the scientific community, strengthening data systems, and promoting the use of evidence to inform decision-making, guide interventions and monitor progress;
- enhancing policy engagement and governance: Sustained political commitment and strong governance are essential to embed One Health into national and international agendas. The Quadripartite is supporting countries in developing enabling policy frameworks, strengthening cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms, and promoting coherent approaches across ministries and sectors; and mobilizing sustainable financing for One Health: Adequate and coordinated financing is necessary to sustain implementation and scale up impact. The Quadripartite is working with governments and partners to strengthen investment frameworks, align resources, and support countries in integrating One Health into national budgeting and development strategies.
Together, these priorities enable countries to prevent risks at source, detect emerging threats early, and respond effectively to health threats, while building resilient systems. Strengthened surveillance and early warning systems, resilient food and agricultural systems, healthy ecosystems, and robust veterinary and public health services are essential components of this approach.
Scaling up One Health requires sustained commitment across all four areas. The Quadripartite calls on governments, international financial institutions, development partners and the private sector to support integrated action by strengthening implementation, investing in science and data, reinforcing governance and policy frameworks, and ensuring sustainable financing.
Advancing One Health is essential to reducing risks at the human–animal–environment interface and to building more resilient, inclusive and sustainable societies. The Quadripartite organizations reaffirm their commitment to working together and with partners worldwide to deliver coordinated, impactful and sustainable One Health action.
