Lyon
Why in news ? The One Health Summit is scheduled to be held on 7 April, 2026 in Lyon, coinciding with World Health Day.
• It is hosted by the French Government as a flagship event under the G7 French Presidency.
• The event brings together Heads of State, governments, international organizations, scientists, civil society, youth, and local stakeholders to strengthen global cooperation on health.
• The Summit emphasizes the interdependence of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health.
• It promotes the need for coordinated, science-based and multisectoral strategies to tackle shared global health threats.
• The approach recognizes that health risks are interconnected across species and environments, requiring integrated policy responses.
One Health approach
• The Summit emphasizes the interdependence of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health, forming the core idea of the One Health approach.
• It promotes the need for coordinated, science-based and multisectoral strategies to tackle shared global health threats.
• The approach recognizes that health risks are interconnected across species and environments, requiring integrated policy responses.
Key Institutional Frameworks
• The Summit highlights the Quadripartite partnership, which includes:
o Food and Agriculture Organization
o United Nations Environment Programme
o World Health Organization
o World Organisation for Animal Health
• This partnership works to coordinate global efforts on health across human, animal, and environmental domains.
• The World Health Organization is set to assume the Chair of the Quadripartite on 8 April 2026, marking a leadership transition.
Importance of the Summit
• The Summit aims to advance multisectoral collaboration on:
o Disease prevention
o Pandemic preparedness
o Antimicrobial resistance
o Sustainable food systems
o Environmental health
• It contributes to building resilient, inclusive, and equitable health systems at global, regional, and national levels.
Objectives of the Summit
• The Summit seeks to promote international and interdisciplinary dialogue through research collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• It aims to reshape global institutional frameworks by fostering a unified “One Health” culture.
• It encourages active participation from both public and private stakeholders to invest in actionable solutions.
• It focuses on strengthening health and surveillance systems to better prevent health, food, and environmental risks.
• It promotes action-oriented multilateralism and stronger international partnerships.
Key Focus Areas
• The Summit addresses zoonotic reservoirs and vectors, which are major sources of emerging infectious diseases.
• It focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a growing global health threat.
• It emphasizes the importance of sustainable food systems in ensuring long-term health security.
• It highlights the risks arising from exposure to environmental pollution, affecting both communicable and non-communicable diseases.