The World Veterinary Association (WVA) co-hosted the side meeting “Multisectoral Perspectives on Preventing the Next Pandemic” on 23 January 2026 at the Baha’i International Community’s UN Office in New York, contributing to preparations for the 2026 UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (HLM-PPPR).
WVA Councillor for North Africa and Middle East, Dr Anis Bouraba, moderated the exchange between Member States and institutional partners, guiding a structured discussion on how prevention and the One Health approach are currently prioritised and operationalised within national and multilateral PPPR efforts.
The discussion highlighted broad recognition of One Health in global frameworks, including the Pandemic Agreement and the forthcoming 2026 Political Declaration but atendees emphasised that implementation remains the central challenge.
Participants underscored multiple points, among them, the need for clearer operational commitments in addition to sustained international cooperation and financing. It was also reiterated that prevention is the most cost-effective approach to reducing pandemic risk and highlighted the importance of maintaining political momentum given that this is a development, equity, and resilience imperative, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
From WVA’s perspective, the dialogue reinforced key messages for the 2026 Political Declaration: there is no effective pandemic prevention without animal health, veterinarians must be recognised as essential health professionals within PPPR frameworks, and animal health systems and veterinary services must be treated as core prevention infrastructure, with dedicated planning and investment. The discussion also highlighted the need to move One Health from recognition to institutionalisation, prioritise prevention at source, and include basic mechanisms for measurability and accountability.
WVA will continue to engage with Member States and partners to ensure that prevention-oriented One Health approaches fully integrate veterinary and animal health services as foundational elements of global pandemic preparedness.
