Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Dr. Monique Éloit, Director-General, World Organisation for Animal Health
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization
At a time when our planet is growing sicker, and people and animals with it, the work of the soon-to-be Quadripartite Alliance on One Health is taking on growing significance.
UNEP remains a fully committed partner alongside the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the World Health Organization (WHO) in the alliance. Over the last year, the collaboration between our organizations has brought real successes in putting One Health on the global map.
We saw a revised definition of One Health, with the support of the One Health High Level Expert Panel, and the One Health Joint Plan of Action – which will be discussed at this meeting. These strengthen science-based integration of human, animal and environmental health.
Meanwhile, UNEP’s report on antimicrobial resistance identified five main sources for the development, transmission and spread of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. These run from poor sanitation to waste from pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare facilities to releases in animal production. If we follow the solutions in this report through the Joint Plan of Action on antimicrobial resistance, we could head off millions of deaths per year by 2050.
We also saw collaboration on data systems and surveillance on pandemic prevention, supported by the G7, and recognition of One Health as a prerequisite for strengthening health systems in the G20 Declaration of the Health Ministers.
Colleagues, what we have also understood better over the last year is that the environment matters to One Health more than ever.
At the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5) which we just concluded a week ago, we heard a clarion call for investing in the environment to solve many development and health challenges. We heard a call for everyone to open their doors and work with a unified vision, rather than pursuing fragmented agendas. The resolutions passed at UNEA 5 by Member States make it clear that environment stakeholders are ready to work with other sectors and hope that these sectoral actors will reciprocate.
The resolution to end plastic pollution agreed to forge a legally binding agreement by 2024 – one that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics. The resolution on biodiversity and health called on member states to support One Health approaches. It specifically asked UNEP to join the Tripartite, evolving it into a Quadripartite, to support member states on environmental aspects of health.
We had a resolution calling for UN collaboration to advance nature-based solutions – to improve everything from food security to health. The resolution on science-policy and pollution supported the establishment of an ambitious science-policy panel on the sound management of chemicals and waste.
And finally, the Ministerial Declaration recognized the greater risk of future pandemics if humanity does not overhaul its interaction with nature. UNEA sent a clear message: a healthy environment equals healthy people and animals.
Colleagues, I would like to delve a little deeper into the pollution issue, which is critical in the context of One Health.
There are no “ifs” or “buts”. Pollution is dangerous. It is debilitating. It is deadly.
An estimated seven million people pass away prematurely each year because of air pollution. But dirty air also does damage that is more insidious, such as increasing the severity of mental illness. With 99 per cent of the global population breathing air that exceeds WHO guidelines, the scale of the threat is enormous.
Water pollution also kills. Half a million people die each year of diarrheal diseases from contaminated water. Chemicals in our environment, meanwhile, are a global health issue. Around 1 in 3 children have lead in their blood at levels that may be associated with decreased intelligence, behavioural difficulties and learning problems.
Then there is the cost to the natural systems that prop up human existence. Untreated waste, pollutants from industrial, mining and agricultural activities, and oil spills and toxic dumping are destroying habitats.
Colleagues, we have a lot of work to do. But the plastic pollution treaty could be a game changer.
Approximately 7 billion of the estimated 9.2 billion tonnes of plastics produced between 1950 and 2017 are now waste. Much of this waste has ended up in the oceans. And we add to it every day. Approximately 11 million tonnes of plastic waste tumble and slide into the oceans every year. This is equivalent to the weight of around 100,000 blue whales. These massive and graceful creatures are integral to their ecosystems, helping to maintain balance. They belong in the ocean. Plastic does not.
With this waste comes health risks, as exposure to plastics can affect fertility, as well as hormonal, metabolic and neurological activity. And then there is the climate impact. If nothing changes, by 2050 greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production, use and disposal could account for 15 per cent of allowed emissions under the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
I present this picture not to be a doomsayer, but to point out that stemming the endless stream of plastic waste would bring massive gains for human, animal and planetary health.
Getting the agreement right will kickstart a circular economy that could reduce the volume of plastics entering our oceans by over 80 per cent by 2040. Reduce virgin plastic production by 55 per cent. Save governments USD 70 billion by 2040. Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent. Create 700,000 additional jobs, mainly in the global south.
Getting it right could also create a model for a move to circularity in other sectors. What works for plastics could just as easily work in energy, transport and construction, creating jobs, mitigating the triple planetary crisis – and, of course, improving One Health.
What is apparent to everyone involved in One Health is that no one sector can solve the many problems we face alone. To secure human, animal and environment health – to secure the very future of this planet – we need more collaboration and partnerships. We need to stand together and work together if we are to thrive together. UNEP as the newest full member of the Alliance, is ready to do its part as an equal partner.
Thank you.
