UAE Calls for Unified One Health Action Amid Rising Regional Tensions and Health Risks
Lyon: At the One Health Summit held in Lyon, France, the UAE issued a critical warning regarding the extensive implications of ongoing regional conflicts on global health, environmental stability, and food systems. The summit, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, gathered heads of state and over 30 ministers to address these pressing issues.
Representing President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, emphasized the urgency of a unified approach to health security. This summit marked a significant milestone under the French Republic’s G7 Presidency, being the first occasion where Heads of State and Government convened under a One Health framework.
Global Collaboration for Health Security
The summit was attended by the Quadripartite alliance, which includes the World Health Organisation, the World Organisation for Animal Health, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. Additionally, representatives from over 20 countries at the ministerial level, along with hundreds of international organizations and members of the scientific community, participated in discussions focused on health security.
During his address, Al Sayegh condemned the ongoing attacks on the UAE, Gulf states, and the broader region. He stated that “the illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked attacks from Iran, encompassing over 2,700 drones and missiles, continue to exact a toll on human lives and livelihoods, critical civilian infrastructure, and the environment simultaneously.”
Interconnected Health Risks
Al Sayegh highlighted the inseparable nature of human, animal, and environmental health, noting that pressures on one system can rapidly affect the others. He articulated that the current situation represents a broader conflict against the health of all nations, consumers, and families reliant on affordable energy and food, as well as the ecosystems that are being compromised.
“This is a war against the health of every country, every consumer, and every family that depends on affordable energy and food; against ecosystems that are being damaged; and against critical resources that we all share,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Al Sayegh stressed the necessity of broadening the One Health framework to encompass environmental risks, such as air pollution, which significantly contributes to chronic diseases and long-term health challenges globally.
Commitment to Integrated Health Solutions
Al Sayegh reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to advancing a more integrated, prevention-focused approach to health security, emphasizing the importance of scientific evidence, robust governance, and international collaboration. He participated in a luncheon hosted by President Macron, alongside leaders such as President Dramani Mahama of Ghana, President Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana, and Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet of Cambodia, to foster cooperation on shared health priorities.
In addition, Al Sayegh expressed gratitude to President Macron for his leadership and solidarity with the UAE during these challenging times. On the sidelines of the summit, he engaged in bilateral discussions with ministerial delegations from Indonesia, Italy, and the Republic of Korea, aimed at strengthening cooperation across health and related sectors.
Call for Unified Action
The UAE urged all partners and participants to align with the One Health approach to safeguard the health of humans, animals, and the environment, particularly in light of the current regional security challenges and the strains on international cooperation.
Al Sayegh announced the UAE’s endorsement of the One Health and Beyond Declaration, along with its collaboration with the One Health Centre of Excellence Global Network. This commitment underscores the UAE’s focus on advancing practical, implementation-oriented solutions that integrate health, environmental, and climate priorities.
For further details, visit the source: www.emirates247.com.
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Published on 2026-04-09 17:51:00 • By the Editorial Desk
