On February 3, 2026, four major global organizations—the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)—announced the renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning cooperation on One Health, which will remain in effect until November 28, 2030.
The renewed MoU signifies a sustained commitment among the Quadripartite organizations to advance the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The organizations have built upon their longstanding collaboration and are looking to enhance their joint efforts to tackle current and emerging health challenges.
The renewed MoU continues to serve as a legal and operational framework that enables these organizations to leverage their respective mandates and comparative advantages. The agreement highlights the importance of coordinated, multisectoral actions to address complex health challenges effectively.
The MoU outlines key priority areas for collaboration, which include:
By focusing on these areas, the Quadripartite aims to enhance the effectiveness of health responses at the human-animal-environment interface.
The guiding principles of the renewed MoU include cooperation, shared responsibility, inclusiveness, equity, and gender equality. These principles are designed to encourage a collaborative, evidence-based approach to policy-making and support for countries and partners. This approach aims to accelerate the implementation of One Health initiatives worldwide.
Through the renewed agreement, the FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH have reiterated their collective commitment to reducing health risks across sectors. The organizations are determined to promote sustainable health outcomes that benefit humans, animals, plants, ecosystems, and the broader environment.
This renewed Quadripartite MoU underlines the crucial role of international collaboration in addressing the multifaceted challenges of global health. The participating organizations are poised to work more closely than ever to implement the One Health approach effectively, ensuring a healthier future for all components of our ecosystems.
For media inquiries and further information regarding the renewed MoU, please contact the WHO Media Team at mediainquiries@who.int.
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