Cape Town, 10 December 2024 - As global leaders work towards finalising the Pandemic Agreement, the urgency to prioritise One Health in a balanced, effective and meaningful approach to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response has never been clearer. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of global systems and reaffirmed the critical need to address zoonotic spillovers at their source. The solution lies in embracing the One Health approach – a framework that recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health aimed at promoting well-being.

Central to this approach, but often underemphasised, is the role of animal welfare. As an organisation deeply committed to protecting animals and advocating for their welfare, FOUR PAWS has been at the forefront of the ongoing negotiations, pushing for a Pandemic Agreement that integrates animal health and welfare as a cornerstone of pandemic prevention.

One Health and the Need for Prevention

Prevention starts with safeguarding the welfare of animals. Unsustainable practices like intensive livestock farming and wildlife trade not only cause animal suffering but also create ideal conditions for pathogens to jump from animals to humans. Prevention must address the drivers of spillovers, which include human behaviour, socioeconomic factors, and climate change. From wildlife monitoring to ecosystem health, integrated efforts are essential to stop diseases before they can impact human populations, 70–80% of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals. This stark statistic highlights the necessity of addressing the drivers of zoonotic spillovers by focusing on prevention rather than solely on response mechanisms.

Lessons from Global Leaders

FOUR PAWS hosted a side event at the World Health Summit in October 2024, focused on how prevention via the One Health approach can be effectively operationalised. The deliberations were aimed at bringing clarity and answer questions raised by various Member States during the World Health Organization (WHO) Intergovernmental Negotiating Body negotiations on how the Pandemic Agreement can reflect and support national, regional and international efforts on pandemic prevention. Speakers represented a diverse range of sectors, including international organisations, governments, academia, and civil society. The discussion addressed practical steps and considerations for implementing national One Health strategies.

As a keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Wanda Markotter Director of the Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Pretoria, South Africa, and Co-Chair of the One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) stressed the urgency of tackling zoonotic spillover risks, noting that 75% of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals. She called for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration, sustainable financing, and robust surveillance mechanisms, emphasizing that prevention must be at the heart of pandemic prevention efforts.

Keynote speaker Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, Director of the Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness in the Health Emergencies Programme of the WHO, highlighted the critical need for an integrated One Health approach, emphasising the role of wildlife-human interactions in zoonotic disease prevention. She advocated for stronger prevention and surveillance systems and equitable partnerships, particularly with countries in the Global South, to effectively address zoonotic risks and protect biodiversity hotspots.

Countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Vietnam exemplified how One Health principles can be implemented effectively. Dr. Masika Sophie shared Kenya’s long-standing commitment to One Health, which has been instrumental in preventing outbreaks like Rift Valley fever. Community-based disease surveillance and the inclusion of animal welfare as a preventive measure underscore Kenya’s proactive approach.

Similarly, Tanzania’s National One Health Strategic Plan (2022–2027) demonstrates the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration. Mr. Ismail Hassan Rumatila emphasised how Tanzania’s Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment have come together to address zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Community engagement and early detection systems have proven invaluable in high-risk areas, providing a model that could inform global strategies.

In Vietnam, Dr. Phuc Pham Duc highlighted how integrating One Health into academic curricula and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration has bolstered the country’s ability to address health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface. These experiences underscore the importance of equitable partnerships and capacity building, particularly in the Global South, where resources are often limited but biodiversity – and therefore zoonotic risk – is high.

This leadership underscores Global South’s role as a prevention champion. However, these efforts must not exist in isolation. The Pandemic Agreement presents a unique opportunity to enshrine prevention as a global standard, with all Member States committing to the One Health approach. Such a commitment would not only validate Global South’s leadership but also provide the resources and support needed to scale up its initiatives, ensuring they benefit communities worldwide enabling equity.

The Role of Animal Welfare in Prevention

Animal welfare is not an abstract concept; it is a tangible strategy for reducing risks of zoonotic spillover and vector borne diseases. While improved surveillance of animal populations, particularly at the wildlife-livestock and wildlife-human interfaces is critical to disease prevention, the key solution lies in better treatment of animals and biodiversity. Addressing the root causes through sustainable practices and respecting ecological balance is essential for long-term prevention. WOAH’s efforts to establish international standards for animal health and welfare demonstrate that ethical practices can go hand in hand with global health security.

High-risk practices like wildlife trade and unsustainable farming are major contributors to zoonotic spillovers. The Pandemic Agreement must include binding commitments to regulate and eliminate these practices and promote sustainable alternatives. Supporting communities in transitioning to securer and more sustainable livelihoods as well as investments in farming methods built on better animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and veterinary infrastructure will not only improve animal welfare but also enhance global health security.

Legal and Global Frameworks

The Pandemic Agreement represents a historic opportunity to institutionalise One Health through a robust international legal framework. There’s a need for binding provisions taking account national context to ensure accountability and compliance. Such provisions must mandate countries to adopt and implement One Health strategies following a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, with clear roles and responsibilities, a coordination body to improve communication and collaboration across relevant sectors and actors and mechanisms for monitoring and reporting.

Equity is another critical consideration; the burden of pandemic prevention cannot fall disproportionately on the Global South. Sustainable financial and technical support from the international community is essential to empower countries to implement One Health strategies effectively. Resources and support must also be directed to communities, which are often the first to face and respond to outbreaks. This includes helping communities' transition away from high-risk practices, such as wildlife trade or intensive farming, by providing viable, sustainable livelihood alternatives that protect both their well-being and global health.

For the Pandemic Agreement to achieve its goals, it must be legally binding. Without enforceable commitments, the integration of One Health principles and the prioritisation of animal welfare risk becoming aspirational rather than actionable. The Pandemic Agreement must recognise that no nation can prevent pandemics alone. It must enshrine One Health as a shared responsibility, provide the legal and financial mechanisms to support prevention efforts, and ensure equitable access to resources for all stages of pandemic management.

A Unified Vision for Prevention

The Pandemic Agreement must move beyond rhetoric to action. By embedding animal health and welfare into its provisions, the agreement can address the root causes of pandemics and ensure a healthier, more equitable future. FOUR PAWS remains committed to advocating for this vision, emphasising that the welfare of animals is intrinsically linked to the health of humans and the planet.

The integration of One Health into the Pandemic Agreement is not just a necessity for addressing the current pandemic; it is a forward-looking strategy to prevent the next one. Let us not miss this opportunity to create a global framework that prioritises prevention, equity, and sustainability – one that recognises the vital role of animals in safeguarding our collective future.

By protecting animals, we protect ourselves because when they suffer, we suffer.  The Pandemic Agreement must reflect this truth.

FOUR PAWS will continue to work alongside global partners to ensure that the One Health approach, with animal welfare at its core, becomes a foundational element of pandemic prevention.

/ENDS