MEDIA ADVISORY

The First International One Health Forum

What: FIRST INTERNATIONAL ONE HEALTH FORUM
The topic of discussion for this inaugural event is: “Empowering Global Health Security and Policy in Africa”.
Date: Thursday & Friday, 14-15 November 2019
Time: 10:00 am
Where: New Conference Center, African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa
Why: Across the African continent, initiatives have already been set up with this concept. Thus, meetings are being organized, and networks established that adopt the One Health approach, engaging public health practitioners, scientists, policy makers and workforce. Yet, these initiatives are not well connected nor integrated. The International One Health Forum will focus on strengthening the public health practice of NPHIs in Africa by convening representatives from existing One Health initiatives and networks and having them present their recommendations for best practices regarding zoonotic disease surveillance.
Who: Organized and hosted by the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the One Health Platform.
Objectives: Recent global disease events have highlighted the impact of zoonoses on human and animal health. It is clear that cooperative solutions are needed to address biological threats and thus global health security. Zoonotic diseases account for more than one billion cases and a million deaths per year, according to the World Bank. Public health systems will only grow stronger by applying a holistic view on the health of humans, animals and the environment, thus calling for a One Health approach. Moreover, we have entered a new era of (re-)emerging and recurring global health threats that call for a longer-term, more strategic approach to global health security.
Press briefing: There will also be a brief chat for the media with the below officials after the opening session:
- Dr John Nkengasong, Director, Africa CDC.
- Dr Jane Lwoyero, World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Kenya.
- Dr IRENE NAIGAGA, One Health Central and Eastern Africa (OHCEA).
- Prof Ab Osterhaus, Chair of One Health Platform.
Journalists are invited to cover the First International One Health Forum.
Media contact:
Mrs. Wynne Musabayana | Head of Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org

About the Africa CDC
Africa CDC strengthens the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions as well as partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks, based on data-driven interventions and programmes. Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org
About the African Union
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens.
AU Vision: To accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission.
Learn more at: http://www.au.int