FAO Opens Global Conference to Put One Health into Action Across Agrifood Systems

ROME — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) officially opened the Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems at its headquarters in Rome. Running from 21 to 23 September 2026, the hybrid gathering brings together world leaders, ministers, scientists, farmers, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and civil society to translate integrated health principles into concrete policies and investments.

Opening the conference, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the critical interdependencies binding agriculture, human wellbeing, animal welfare, plant health, and environmental ecosystems.

“One Health is a farmer’s agenda, a scientist’s agenda, and a Minister’s agenda,” Director-General Qu stated during his opening address.

He highlighted that because these interconnections crosscut multiple government portfolios—spanning agriculture, health, livestock, environment, and finance—efforts must be coordinated efficiently and coherently across all levels of governance.

Interconnected Threats to Global Food Security

During his statement, Qu drew attention to systemic environmental and biological risks currently straining global agrifood systems:

• Plant Health & Food Security: Pests and plant diseases destroy 20 to 40 percent of global crop production annually, posing an immediate threat to global food availability.

• Soil & Water Quality: Degraded soils compromise crop and animal feed quality, while poor water quality accelerates the transmission of pathogens between livestock and human populations.

• Cross-Sectoral Risks: Pressing global issues—such as emerging zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), climate stress, and food contamination—cannot be solved within isolated sectors.

Key Initiatives Launched

To bridge the gap between high-level policy dialogue and operational practice, the conference marked the rollout of major global tools and regulatory frameworks:

1. Sustainable Livestock Transformation and One Health Intelligence & Knowledge Hub

FAO officially launched a centralized online portal that integrates livestock data, analytical tools, and expert knowledge. The hub is designed to enhance global early warning mechanisms, strengthen disease preparedness, and equip decision-makers with evidence-based insights for strategic agricultural planning.

2. Global Framework on Avian Influenza

In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), FAO introduced a joint global framework. The initiative outlines strategic cross-agency goals to control avian influenza outbreaks, protect wildlife reservoirs, and safeguard public health.

3. One Health in Agrifood Systems Framework

The conference builds on the practical framework requested by FAO’s Committee on Agriculture (COAG). The framework provides member states with actionable national guidelines to integrate One Health priorities into local investments, national development programs, and agricultural policy.

High-Level Global Participation

The opening plenary featured remarks from prominent international officials, including Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, alongside a delegation of global ministers representing health, environment, and livestock sectors.

Discussions over the three-day summit will focus on mobilizing sustainable finance, advancing digital technology, encouraging youth-led agricultural innovation, and scaling up community-led biosecurity solutions.