Human, animal and environmental health brought together in COP17 “One Health” discussion

Armenia’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization jointly held a discussion entitled “The One Health Approach: From Monitoring Ecological Changes to Preventing Health Risks—Strategic and Practical Solutions” at the Meridian Centre on 23 October, during the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).

Speaking at the discussion, Armenian Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan stressed that biodiversity is our shared immune system, while healthy ecosystems provide clean water, safe food and a stable climate.

He said around half of infectious disease cases were linked to changes in land use and agricultural practices and encroachment on natural habitats, bringing wildlife, farm animals and people into closer contact.

“That is why I would like to place today’s discussion in the context of COP17’s central task: the first global review of collective progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We are halfway to 2030. The global report, compiled from national reports submitted by 129 parties, updated strategies from 89 parties and national targets from 162 parties, sends a clear message. Engagement is unprecedented, but we are not on track to meet our goals.

“Some of the largest gaps are in areas where progress depends on sectors beyond the environment, from finance to reforming harmful subsidies. Targets concerning pollution or agriculture cannot be achieved by environment ministers alone either. This is the question parties are negotiating here in Yerevan: how do we correct our course over the remaining four years? One way forward is through a direct decision on the review, adopting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach,” the minister stressed.

He said One Health was precisely that approach, applied where it mattered most to people’s lives.

Matevosyan said Armenia’s new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2030 translated this connection into concrete commitments: reducing phosphorus and nitrogen pollution in Lake Sevan by at least 30 per cent; clearing plastic and solid waste from at least ten rivers; banning single-use plastic bags and regulating the use of unwanted pesticides; sustainably managing at least 150,000 hectares of pasture and grassland; and conserving at least 20 per cent of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems by 2030.

He stressed that each of these was both a biodiversity measure and a health measure.

Armenian Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan also noted the close connection between the One Health approach, biodiversity and health.

“Human health cannot be separated from environmental health. This understanding underpins the One Health approach, which emphasises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health and calls for coordinated action across sectors.

“Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation pose significant threats to public health, primarily by increasing the likelihood of zoonotic disease transmission. Having successfully achieved and maintained WHO-certified malaria-free status, Armenia remains acutely aware that changes in climatic conditions and natural habitats can threaten hard-won public health gains by creating new vulnerabilities to vector-borne diseases,” she said.

Avanesyan said biodiversity offered invaluable opportunities for scientific research and medical innovation, including the discovery of new medicines and treatments.

“Armenia recognises the importance of integrating One Health principles into national policies and promoting cooperation across the health, environmental, conservation and economic sectors. We are convinced that closer cooperation between policymakers, scientists and public health professionals is essential to address complex challenges that transcend institutional and national boundaries,” Avanesyan said.

The minister stressed the critical importance of accurate electronic data exchange and the creation of a unified, interoperable database within the One Health approach. She said it was equally important to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to address biodiversity changes and their profound effects on human health comprehensively.

“COP17 offers a unique opportunity to develop international cooperation, promote evidence-based solutions and reaffirm our collective commitment to biodiversity conservation. The decisions we take today can help shape a healthier and more sustainable future for generations to come. As we look ahead, we must remember a fundamental principle: environmental policy is also an integral component of public health policy,” Avanesyan said.

Siddhartha Datta, WHO Representative in Armenia and Head of the Country Office, described the discussion as a step forward. He said the Armenian presidency’s organisation of an event on biodiversity, ecosystems and health, together with the participation of member states and partners, demonstrated a commitment to putting One Health into practice.

“The One Health approach is no longer optional. The challenges we face today concerning the interconnectedness of biodiversity, ecosystems and health cannot be addressed by one sector alone. We therefore greatly appreciate the participation of the two senior government leaders here who are involved in implementing the One Health approach.

“In our view, Armenia is demonstrating one thing today: local leadership for global impact. We thank Armenia for that,” Datta said.

He said they recognised that a member state’s political commitment must be accompanied by appropriate, sustained financial investment.

“When we speak about people’s well-being, we often look at it from the perspective of the future. Allow me to outline the economic cost of inaction in the face of biodiversity loss. The World Bank estimates that the collapse of a key ecosystem could reduce global GDP by US$2.7 trillion annually by 2030.

“With more than half of global GDP dependent on nature, continued biodiversity loss threatens food security, livelihoods, health and long-term economic stability. The health impact of biodiversity loss is not a theoretical risk. COVID-19, cases of West Nile virus infection in Armenia and the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa all point to one thing: the risk is real,” Datta stressed.

The WHO Representative in Armenia and Head of the Country Office said One Health must move beyond a general concept and find its place in national policies, institutional arrangements, operational programmes and sustained investment.