The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) faces increasingly complex public health threats driven by zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food insecurity, climate change, population displacement, and recurring humanitarian crises. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires stronger collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors through the One Health approach.

While One Health is increasingly recognized as an important framework for strengthening preparedness, surveillance, and response capacities, many countries continue to face challenges in translating commitments into sustainable action.

To explore these challenges and identify opportunities for advancing implementation, EMPHNET hosted the 55th session of its WEBi Series, titled “One Health Implementation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle,” on June 16, 2026, with 191 participants in attendance.

The webinar brought together regional and international experts to discuss key capacities needed to operationalize One Health across the region, including leadership and governance, workforce development, financing, innovation, and surveillance integration.

Opening Remarks

Dr. Baher ElDesouki, Senior Technical Specialist at EMPHNET, welcomed participants and opened the webinar by emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration to advance One Health implementation across the region. Ms. Maisam Ibdah, Project Manager at EMPHNET, then introduced the speakers and outlined the agenda for the session.

Leadership, Governance, and Institutionalization

Dr. Heba Mahrous, One Health Regional Focal Point at WHO EMRO, opened the technical presentations by discussing the role of leadership, governance, and institutionalization in advancing One Health implementation.

She described One Health as an integrated approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and environmental health and highlighted the importance of collaboration and coordination across sectors.

Dr. Mahrous also discussed governance mechanisms, legal frameworks, and institutional structures that support multisectoral action. Additionally, she highlighted the role of the Quadripartite collaboration and the Regional One Health Framework in supporting countries to strengthen coordination and implementation of One Health approaches.

Human Capital and Technological Innovation

Prof. Hechmi Louzir, former Director General of Institute Pasteur of Tunisia, discussed the role of workforce development, research, and innovation in advancing One Health implementation.

He highlighted several challenges affecting the region, including zoonotic diseases, AMR, climate change, and food safety. He also emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary education and training, research and development, and innovation in supporting One Health capacities.

His presentation focused on the role of human capital and technological innovation in strengthening preparedness and response to emerging health threats and supporting the implementation of One Health approaches.

Financing and Sustainability

Ms. Katrin Taylor, One Health Strategic Programming and Partnerships Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), focused on financing and sustainability considerations for One Health initiatives.

She discussed the need to link policy commitments with investment planning and resource mobilization and shared examples of efforts aimed at strengthening financing mechanisms that support multisectoral collaboration and long-term implementation of One Health priorities. Ms. Taylor also presented country experiences demonstrating how investments can be prioritized to strengthen preparedness, prevention, and response capacities.

Collaborative Surveillance and Early Warning Systems

Dr. Fernanda Dórea, Global Project Coordinator – Early Warning at FAO, highlighted the role of collaborative surveillance and early warning systems in strengthening One Health implementation.

She emphasized the importance of integrating animal health within broader surveillance efforts and strengthening information sharing, risk monitoring, and coordination across sectors. Dr. Dórea also presented FAO-supported frameworks and digital tools that support early detection, disease reporting, and evidence-informed decision-making while reinforcing country ownership and sustainability.

Surveillance and Multisectoral Action

Dr. Yewande Alimi, AMR and One Health Unit Lead at Africa CDC, discussed the importance of coordinated surveillance and multisectoral collaboration in strengthening One Health implementation.

Drawing on Africa CDC’s experience, she highlighted the growing impact of zoonotic diseases, AMR, food safety challenges, and climate-related health threats. She emphasized the need to strengthen collaboration among human, animal, and environmental health sectors and highlighted the role of coordinated surveillance in supporting early detection, preparedness, and response to emerging threats.

Dr. Alimi also stressed the importance of community engagement, regional collaboration, and country-led approaches to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and response capacities across the continent.

Audience Discussion

The discussion reflected strong engagement from participants, with questions focusing on governance, sustainable financing, data sharing across sectors, and implementation in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Climate change, workforce development, community engagement, and regional collaboration also emerged as key themes. Speakers emphasized the importance of multisectoral coordination, workforce development, and country ownership in advancing One Health implementation.

Key Discussion Themes

Several themes emerged throughout the webinar:

• Strengthening leadership, governance, and institutionalization mechanisms to support One Health implementation.
• Investing in workforce development, research, and innovation to address emerging health challenges.
• Mobilizing sustainable financing and strengthening country ownership of One Health initiatives.
• Strengthening collaborative surveillance, early warning systems, and information sharing to support early detection, preparedness, and response.
• Advancing multisectoral collaboration and community engagement across human, animal, and environmental health sectors..

The webinar provided a platform for regional dialogue and knowledge exchange, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in advancing One Health implementation across the EMR.

Watch the webinar here.

Explore more sessions from the EMPHNET WEBi Series here.