’One Health’ must move from policy to action: Environment Minister

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister 
Abdul Awal Mintoo today said 'One Health' must move from policy to action. 

He stressed the need for building resilient agrifood systems and sustainable 
livelihoods by anticipating, mitigating and preventing risks instead of 
merely responding after emergencies occur.

The environment minister made the remarks while delivering the keynote 
address at the plenary session titled "One Health for a Better Life: From 
Emergency Preparedness and Response to Resilient Agrifood Systems and 
Sustainable Livelihoods", held at the Plenary Hall of the Food and 
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, 
according to a message received here.

He said the health of people and animals, ecosystems and the environment are 
closely interconnected. 

"A risk arising in one area can quickly affect the others. Bangladesh's food 
and livelihood systems are closely linked to agriculture, livestock, 
fisheries and natural resources," he said. 

At the same time, Mintoo said, climate change, environmental degradation, 
biodiversity loss and emerging health risks are creating growing pressures.

He added that One Health is not merely a health-sector programme but an 
integrated approach that connects health security, environmental 
sustainability, food security, resilient livelihoods and sustainable 
development.

Highlighting Bangladesh's commitment, the minister said the Third One Health 
Strategic Framework 2025-2030 has been formulated in continuation of the 
National One Health Strategic Framework adopted in 2012. 

The inter-ministerial coordination mechanism and the One Health Secretariat 
are serving as important platforms for cooperation, information exchange and 
coordinated action among different sectors, he said. 

Referring to the experiences of avian influenza and the COVID-19 pandemic, he 
said preparedness is not a final destination; it must continue to evolve as 
risks change.

This requires integrated surveillance and early-warning systems, biosecurity, 
stronger laboratory and field-level capacity, and a deeper understanding of 
the environmental, ecological and socioeconomic drivers of disease emergence, 
Mintoo said. 

He described climate resilience as an inseparable part of health resilience.

He emphasised the need to connect climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, 
ecosystem restoration, community resilience and nature-based solutions with 
One Health priorities.

The Bangladesh minister said today's emergency risks cross national borders. 

Effective preparedness therefore requires a whole-of-government approach, 
multisectoral cooperation, and strong regional and international 
partnerships, he said. 

Appreciating the support of FAO and other international and regional 
partners, Mintoo called for pandemic prevention and preparedness to be linked 
with resilient agrifood systems, sustainable livelihoods, environmental 
sustainability and climate resilience.

He put emphasis on country-led solutions, stronger national capacity and the 
practical application of global knowledge at the local level.

The minister said Bangladesh remains committed to advancing the One Health 
agenda through national initiatives, regional cooperation and international 
partnerships. 

He called upon all partners to work with Bangladesh to turn One Health from 
policy into action and from action into measurable results.

The panel discussion was attended by Nigeria's Minister of Livestock 
Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha; Douglas Hoelscher, Minister-Counselor for 
Agricultural Affairs of the United States in Rome; Sopon Iamsirithaworn, 
Deputy Permanent Secretary of Thailand's Ministry of Public Health; Memduh 
Unal, Director at the Islamic Organisation for Food Security.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy A. T. M. Rokebul Haque, other senior 
representatives, delegates from various organizations, observers and experts 
were present there.