2 June 2025

Fellow Regional Directors, Distinguished Colleagues, Partners,

It is my great honour to join you today for the signing of the Regional QPT Joint Statement.

The establishment of a Regional Quadripartite One Health Coordination Mechanism is a major step forward for the health and resilience of our Region.

The health of people, animals, and ecosystems is deeply interconnected.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, we have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of zoonotic outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance, and foodborne diseases—challenges that demand a unified, multisectoral response.

With 18 of 22 countries in the Region having reported emerging zoonotic diseases in recent years, and with millions affected annually by foodborne illness and AMR, the urgency of One Health implementation could not be clearer.

This joint mechanism strengthens our collective ability to prevent, detect and respond to these threats—ensuring coherence, avoiding duplication, and making the best use of resources.

It reflects our shared commitment to advancing health security and sustainable development.

WHO is proud to stand alongside FAO, UNEP, and WOAH as part of this effort.

Together, through our new Regional One Health Action Plan, we will support countries with the tools, coordination, and political commitment needed to turn vision into action.

The implementation of the One Health approach is not optional but essential.

Let us seize this opportunity to build a healthier and safer world for present and future generations— One Region, One World, One Health, and One Commitment.