FAO urges faster action on One Health to protect global food systems
FAO warns gaps in funding and capacity are slowing One Health progress, a key strategy linking human, animal and environmental health worldwide.
On April 9, 2026, in Lyon, France, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu called for urgent acceleration of the One Health agenda, warning that insufficient funding and persistent capacity gaps are undermining progress at a time when global food systems face increasing risks. The message, delivered during the fourth executive meeting of the Quadripartite alliance, highlights growing concern across international organizations about the fragility of health and agricultural systems.
The Quadripartite alliance-comprising FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH-was created to strengthen cooperation across sectors and address the interconnected health of humans, animals, plants and ecosystems. At its core, the One Health approach promotes a coordinated response to shared risks, from zoonotic diseases to environmental degradation, all of which directly impact global food security.
During his opening remarks, Qu emphasized that while progress has been made in strengthening collaboration and advancing the One Health Joint Plan of Action, implementation remains uneven across regions and countries.
"This meeting is not just about taking stock, but about accelerating action," Qu stated, calling for stronger national and community-level deployment of One Health strategies.
A key challenge identified is the lack of sustainable financing and technical capacity, particularly in developing regions where agricultural systems are more exposed to climate shocks and disease outbreaks. According to FAO, without coordinated investment, the ability to scale solutions that integrate public health, agriculture and environmental management will remain limited.
Qu also stressed the importance of reinforcing the knowledge nexus of One Health, including stronger governance frameworks, better data on return on investment, and expanded scientific collaboration. These elements are seen as critical to making the approach technically robust, economically viable and politically actionable.
The implications for the agribusiness sector are significant. As supply chains become more exposed to disruptions linked to climate change, biodiversity loss and emerging diseases, the integration of One Health principles is increasingly viewed as essential for building resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.
FAO reaffirmed its commitment to embedding One Health across all agro-food systems, aligning with its broader strategy to achieve better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life. This systemic transformation is particularly relevant for regions like Latin America, where agricultural expansion, environmental pressures and export-driven growth intersect.
Looking ahead, Qu outlined three strategic priorities: scaling implementation at the national level, mobilizing evidence-based sustainable investments, and strengthening political visibility to keep One Health at the forefront of the global agenda.
As FAO prepares to hand over leadership of the Quadripartite to WHO, the transition marks a new phase focused less on dialogue and more on execution and measurable impact.
In a global context where food systems, health security and environmental sustainability are increasingly intertwined, the urgency behind FAO's call reflects a broader shift: agriculture is no longer just about production-it is now central to the stability of entire ecosystems and economies.
