The group, consisting of the FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH, agreed to extend the plan from 2022-2026 through to 2029.

 

It says that extending the plan will mean member countries have ‘greater predictability’ with its implementation. Countries will continue to plan, implement and scale national One Health priorities under a global framework.

 

The extension also supports stakeholders in aligning activities on national, regional and global levels.

 

This action corresponds with a renewed Quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding, which continues until 2030 and reinforces collaboration between the four organisations.

 

The OH JPA was designed to ensure collaboration in tackling One Health challenges on a global, regional and country level. The four organisations, or Quadripartite, agree to collectively advocate and support One Health.

 

It also seeks to add value to existing One Health initiatives, with the aim of addressing complex multidimensional health risks with more resilient systems.

 

As part of this extension period, the organisations are set to undertake a structured review of the OH JPA.

 

The review will see organisations stocktake implementation progress on a global, regional and national level. They will document the lessons learned and good practice.

 

It will also include an assessment of emerging priorities. This includes an evaluation of changing One Health needs and a developed global context, assessing how the framework will continue to respond to One Health priorities.

 

Organisations will also look for opportunities to strengthen and refine the OH JPA for longevity.

 

WOAH says that the extended OH JPA, combined with the renewed Memorandum of Understanding, will ensure continuity for the governance and implementation arrangements in the Quadripartite collaboration. Through this continuity, it hopes for continued coordination of technical support, joint advocacy, resource mobilisation efforts and ongoing implementation of One Health.