The outbreaks of Marburg virus disease are another reminder that we can only truly protect human health if we also protect the health of animals and our planet, which sustains all life.

We call this a “One Health” approach.

One Health is not a new concept. For decades, WHO has been working with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Organisation for Animal Health in a tripartite partnership, to address the health risks that arise from the interactions between humans, animals and the environment.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been a renewed realization that we need to broaden the One Health approach, and make it a reality, not just a concept.

Last year, the tripartite became a quadripartite with the addition of the UN Environment Programme.

This week, the quadripartite held its Executive Annual Meeting, here at WHO in Geneva.

Together, we released a call to action to translate the One Health concept into concrete policy action in countries.

We are calling on countries to prioritize One Health, by strengthening the policies, strategies, plans, evidence, investment and workforce needed to properly address the threats that arise from our relationship with animals and the environment.

Media Stakeout by Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Ghana, Mozambique and the United States, following the Security Council field visit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.