The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has inaugurated its Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems alongside a central digital intelligence platform. The initiative aims to equip governments, scientists, and producers with integrated livestock data and predictive tools to convert cross-sectoral policy into practical field-level action.
Addressing systemic vulnerabilities spanning soil degradation, waterborne pathogens, and agricultural disease risks, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) opened its Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems at its Rome headquarters. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu underscored the economic and operational urgency of unified action across human, animal, plant, and environmental health sectors, noting that pests and diseases currently destroy between 20 and 40 percent of global crop production annually.
“One Health is a farmer's agenda, a scientist's agenda, and a Minister's agenda,” Qu said during the opening session. “This event brings together High-Level Government Representatives, with scientists, farmers, Indigenous Peoples, youth and civil society from around the world - this diversity is the very essence of One Health.”
To support evidence-based decision-making and early warning capabilities, FAO officially launched the Sustainable Livestock Transformation and One Health Intelligence & Knowledge Hub. The online platform aggregates thematic livestock data, interactive thematic dashboards, analytical tools, and a dedicated Livestock AI Assistant. Designed as a single gateway, the hub consolidates information on animal health risks, antimicrobial resistance, livestock production metrics, and climate interactions to guide targeted investments and strategic policy planning.
In parallel with the digital hub roll-out, FAO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) presented a joint Global Framework to Accelerate Action on Avian Influenza. The framework establishes coordinated targets for monitoring avian influenza threats while safeguarding public health, livestock productivity, and wildlife ecosystems.
The conference, which runs through 23 September 2026, builds upon the FAO One Health in Agrifood Systems Framework commissioned by the Committee on Agriculture in 2024 to provide member nations with actionable implementation guidelines.