One for all, all for One Health
France is hosting the The One Health Summit in Lyon. Supplied
#opinion
France is hosting the One Health Summit from April 5 to today with a clear priority: to identify concrete, sustainable, and effective solutions to prevent health, food, and environmental risks that threaten our populations and our planet.
The 9th One Planet Summit will bring together about 50 states and international and regional organisations, including Prime Minister Hun Manet representing Cambodia.
Nearly 3,000 participants are expected to address the major challenges affecting human, animal, and environmental health.
By strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding between policymakers, society and the scientific community, the summit aims to unite generations around a shared goal: achieving equitable and sustainable health for all.
This high-level participation reflects a strong alignment of views between France and Cambodia on this major global challenge. The One Health approach is one of the areas in which we are deepening our cooperation, notably in the lead-up to the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron in November.
This landmark event takes place in Lyon, France’s global health capital. For the first time, states will gather at the highest level to place the One Health approach at the heart of public policy. This approach recognises the close interconnections between human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health. Acting on one of these dimensions helps protect the others. Health, climate, biodiversity, water, food—breaking down silos means bringing these issues together.
Alongside political leaders invited by President Macron, the summit convenes leaders of international and regional organisations, hundreds of scientists, business leaders, financial stakeholders, elected representatives, young people and civil society actors—bringing together a wide range of committed stakeholders working towards healthier societies and a more sustainable planet.
Experts from across disciplines will lead discussions highlighting available tools and key targets to build a healthy and prosperous future. The Summit’s momentum extends beyond Lyon: from March 16 to May 15, a festival features nearly 200 events across France and worldwide to showcase the importance of the One Health approach. In Cambodia, France has supported the organisation of a seminar by the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee on One Health (IMCC-OH), bringing together 300 participants to translate international commitments into actions tailored to Cambodia’s agricultural, environmental and health context.
Team France in Cambodia has long been engaged in One Health issues. French public operators CIRAD, IRD, AFD and the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge are working closely with our Cambodian partners to support public policies in this field. Our cooperation also extends at the multilateral level, notably through support for Cambodia’s participation in PREZODE, an international initiative launched by France in 2021, which provides a global scientific framework for pandemic prevention.
Accelerating research, strengthening training, preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics, reducing diseases transmitted by animals and insects, improving food systems, protecting biodiversity, reducing pollution, mitigating the effects of climate change, and promoting mental well-being—these priorities will guide international discussions to turn commitments into collective, practical and coherent action. Let us never forget: each individual’s health depends on the health of all.
Together, let us act now to prevent risks and respond more effectively.
The One Health approach must become our compass. It must become our reflex.
The author is French Ambassador to Cambodia.
-Khmer Times-
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