The One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) held its inaugural meeting for the second term on 18-19 September in South Africa, on the margins of the World One Health Congress. The meeting brought together a distinguished group of global experts to address health challenges arising at the human, animal and environment interface. Convened by the Quadripartite organizations - the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) - the panel plays a vital role in advising the Quadripartite collaboration on One Health.
Over the two-day meeting, the Quadripartite updated panel members on their progress and plans for the roll out of the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA)) and its implementation. OHHLEP discussed their workplan and agreed that efforts in Term II should focus on fully leveraging the augmented panel and building on the achievements of Term I to maintain the political momentum required for advancing One Health implementation.
"We find ourselves at a critical juncture in rolling out a One Health approach globally. It is essential that we demonstrate the value of One Health implementation while the political momentum is still with us. OHHLEP plays a critical role in advising the Quadripartite on how best to do this." said Dr Ailan Li, WHO Assistant Director General, Division of Healthier Population.
The panel also agreed to meet regularly to strengthen cohesion, communication, and collaboration across their diverse disciplines. WHO and its partners will provide continued updates on OHHLEP work via the OHHLEP webpage.
