The One Health approach is an integrated and unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It recognizes the deep interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health and the need for collaboration across disciplines to achieve better outcomes for all.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, where zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change converge, adopting the One Health approach is essential to protecting communities, preserving ecosystems, and building stronger, more resilient health systems. 

Check our One Health Area profile.

The global health community recognizes that the health of people, animals, and the environment are deeply interconnected. Addressing shared health threats requires an integrated and collaborative approach that bridges these sectors. Yet, putting the One Health concept into action remains a challenge. Many countries still face gaps in coordination, technical expertise, and institutional capacity, limiting the effectiveness of multisectoral implementation.

In the EMR, home to several low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), many countries face complex and recurring public health and environmental challenges; thus, the need for such cooperation is even greater.

EMPHNET is committed to turning this vision into reality by strengthening One Health governance, enhancing national capacities, and fostering cross-sectoral partnerships to build healthier, more resilient communities.

• Inclusive participation: Empowering communities as co-creators in One Health interventions.
• Operational guidance grounded in field realities: Developing practical tools and frameworks tailored to local contexts.
• Evidence to action: Translating data and research into actionable recommendations.
• Workforce development: Building cross-sectoral capacities through targeted training.
• Cross-sectoral coordination and communication: Strengthening collaboration and information-sharing between human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

We have emerged as one of the region’s early pioneers in implementing the One Health approach. Its key contributions include:

• Supporting One Health governance: Laying foundational structures and offering practical recommendations to overcome implementation barriers and strengthen coordination, legal frameworks, and workforce capacities.
  
  
• Implementing on the Ground: Establishing coordination and communication channels between human and animal health sectors, promoting knowledge sharing and joint capacity building, and fostering regional dialogue through the EMPHNET Regional Conference and other high-level forums. We are also introducing innovative, community-based engagement models and strengthening One Health surveillance systems, particularly for antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases.
  
  
• Engaging Stakeholders: Strengthening collaboration across sectors, EMPHNET fosters meaningful engagement with stakeholders at national, regional, and international levels. Through these partnerships, we facilitate the exchange of experiences, inform global strategies, promote context-specific solutions, and contribute to advancing effective One Health implementation.
  
  
  

  Toward the Integration of Climate Change Action into Health Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

  Toward the Implementation of the One Health Approach in the Eastern Mediterranean Region