As the world faces intensifying wildfires, heatwaves, floods, and disease outbreaks, international health and environmental organizations are calling for stronger collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Marking World One Health Day, nine global organizations have come together to urge countries to accelerate the adoption of the One Health approach across Europe and beyond.

Representing the European Union (EU) Cross-agency One Health Task Force and the European and Central Asia Quadripartite, the coalition emphasized the urgent need to recognize the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health. The statement highlighted that escalating crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and unsustainable land use are creating a web of threats that demand a unified global response.

The summer of 2025 has been the warmest on record in Europe. By early September, nearly one million hectares of land had been destroyed by wildfires, far exceeding the long-term annual average. Marine heatwaves swept across the Mediterranean, putting immense pressure on marine ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them. Extreme heat and longer mosquito seasons have also triggered a surge in diseases such as West Nile virus, chikungunya, and dengue, alongside an increase in heat-related illnesses, foodborne infections, and strain on health systems. Vulnerable populations have been particularly hard hit by these developments.

At the same time, animal diseases such as bluetongue, lumpy skin disease, and avian influenza are spreading, threatening animal welfare, food security, and the stability of agricultural systems. Environmental disruptions caused by climate change and human activity are bringing wildlife, livestock, and people into closer contact, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases that can spread across borders.

The joint statement called for immediate and coordinated global action to strengthen the One Health framework. It emphasized that tackling these complex challenges requires more than sectoral responses—it demands deep collaboration across public health, animal health, environmental protection, and agricultural systems. The organizations urged governments, institutions, civil society, academia, and the private sector to commit to integrating One Health principles into national policies and governance structures.

The statement further stressed the need for stronger leadership and governance, better coordination among global and regional institutions, and sustained investment in science-based strategies that demonstrate the social and economic value of prevention and preparedness. Building trust through transparency, joint decision-making, and data sharing was also identified as key to ensuring accountability and long-term success.

“The challenges we face today are a reminder of our shared vulnerabilities and responsibilities,” the statement said. “To prevent, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics, no country or sector can act alone. We must act together, now.”

The EU Cross-agency One Health Task Force includes the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), European Medicines Agency (EMA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Environment Agency (EEA), and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) serving as an observer. Meanwhile, the European and Central Asia Quadripartite brings together the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address risks at the human-animal-ecosystem interface.

As the world observes World One Health Day 2025, the message from these organizations is clear: the health of people, animals, and the planet are deeply interconnected, and protecting one depends on protecting all. Through unified, science-driven, and collaborative action, global partners hope to strengthen resilience against the growing threats of climate change, disease outbreaks, and environmental degradation.