Africa: WHO and France Shift One Health Vision to Action With New High-Impact Initiatives

Lead

Global leaders and health experts gathered in Lyon, France, on World Health Day for a two-day One Health Summit, where the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners announced a new wave of concrete actions to better protect people, animals, and the planet from future health crises. Hosted by France, the summit marks a significant step in turning the One Health approach—which recognizes that human health, animal health, and the environment are deeply connected—into real-world initiatives.

The urgency of the summit was underscored by multiple speakers, citing the escalating challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and unequal access to healthcare. According to the WHO, approximately 60% of known infectious diseases in humans originate in animals, and around 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic. The COVID-19 pandemic alone resulted in an estimated 15 million deaths and trillions of dollars in economic losses globally in 2020-2021, as reported by several sources.

Coverage Comparison

The summit received extensive coverage from multiple outlets, including AllAfrica, France 24, and RFI. While all reports focused on the summit and its implications, they varied in emphasis. AllAfrica articles highlighted the bilateral meeting between Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama and French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ghana's role in the summit. France 24's coverage emphasized the role of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in achieving the summit's goals. RFI provided a broader overview of the summit's agenda and the integrated approach to health and environment, quoting French and WHO officials.

Key Claims

France's National Health Platform and Ghana

According to an AllAfrica report, Ghana has been selected as the first beneficiary of France's National Health Platform. The announcement was made by President Macron during a bilateral meeting with President Mahama at the Élysée Palace. Macron also commended Mahama for the "prudent management" of the Ghanaian economy and lauded the Accra Reset Initiative. In response, Mahama thanked France and China for their support with Ghana's debt restructuring, stating that the Ghanaian economy has bounced back strongly.

WHO's New Initiatives

The WHO announced the establishment of a Global Network of One Health Institutions, as reported by AllAfrica. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stressed that "the health of people, animals and the environment we share are inextricably interwoven, and we cannot protect one without protecting all three." The WHO and partners are strengthening the One Health approach to bring together experts across health, agriculture, environment, and science to detect risks earlier and respond faster.

President Mahama's Call to Action

At the summit, President Mahama called for urgent global action to tackle rising health threats, outlining three key steps for world leaders. He urged a shift from commitment to action, embedding One Health strategies into national development agendas, and strengthening prevention through robust surveillance systems. "The period of declarations must come to an end. The moment for coordinated effort is here, and let us start from Lyon," he said, as quoted by AllAfrica. Mahama warned of the deepening links between climate change, disease, and inequality, and emphasized the need for early warning mechanisms at the community level.

France's Leadership and Future Strategies

France reaffirmed its leadership in advancing One Health, championing international cooperation and global scientific partnerships. The summit's agenda, as reported by RFI, included improving international cooperation and data sharing, combating zoonotic diseases, and addressing diseases influenced by the living environment, such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems. France 24 highlighted the potential of new technologies, with Antoine Tesnière, who advised the French government during the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing how AI could have saved lives had it been available earlier.

Perspectives

The summit reflects a growing consensus among global health leaders that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected. Dr. Sylvie Briand, WHO chief scientist, told RFI: "We are all connected." From the perspective of African leaders like President Mahama, there is a sense of urgency to move from declarations to tangible actions, particularly in building resilient health systems that can prevent future pandemics. France, as the host, positions itself as a champion of the One Health approach, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and innovation. These perspectives converge on the need for integrated, multi-sectoral strategies to address the complex health challenges of the 21st century.