The Declaration issued on September 6, 2021, in Rome Italy reads, in part, as follows (emphasis added):
“5. We call for continuity of concerted action towards a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response through good governance of health systems and immediate and medium-to-long term multi-sectoral actions […] through a health-in-all policies approach […] Principles of sustainability, inclusiveness, holistic vision, transparency, accountability, foresight, and equality and equity must be at the center of a governance transformation of health. Within this context, linkages between human and animal health, the effects across One Health related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food systems, and environmental health, including climate change, ecosystem degradation, increased encroachment into natural systems and loss of biodiversity should be addressed through the One Health approach, leveraging and relying upon the technical leadership and coordinating role of the WHO, FAO, OIE and UNEP. The COVID-19 response and recovery efforts offer an opportunity to move in this direction, in order to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.”
Further down, the concept of One Health is picked up again and expanded, with a full explanation of all its ramifications:
. “… linkages between human and animal health, the effects across One Health related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food systems, and environmental health, including climate change, ecosystem degradation, increased encroachment into natural systems and loss of biodiversity should be addressed through the One Health approach, leveraging and relying upon the technical leadership and coordinating role of the WHO, FAO, OIE and UNEP. The COVID-19 response and recovery efforts offer an opportunity to move in this direction, in order to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.”
This is clearly an important follow-up to its earlier meeting in July 2021 and the report of the G20 Finance Ministers High-Level Independent Panel “A Global Deal for Our Pandemic Age” (that was published in June) and acceptance of the specific language in that report, namely:
Proposal:
“Greater and more predictable funding is necessary for the WHO to perform its critical functions and ensure that there are no gaps in the surveillance-to-action loop, and to strengthen the integrated One Health approach.
Key Action Items:
… ii. Support WHO, OIE, FAO and UNEP in their integrated One Health approach”
There is now the opportunity for the full G20 leadership at its Summit in October to translate the Declaration into concrete action.
Stay tuned!
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com columnists are their own, not those of Impakter.com. — In the Featured Photo: G20 Health Ministers Source: Twitter G20 account
