Building on its strong commitment to advancing multisectoral collaboration and strengthening the One Health approach, EMPHNET actively participated in the MENA One Health Conference recently held in Tunisia. The high-level conference, hosted by the Government of Tunisia and co-organized by the World Bank alongside the Quadripartite Organizations—the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)—served as a key platform for stakeholders across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to advance the implementation of the One Health approach.

The conference gathered government representatives, technical experts, and institutional partners to explore avenues for enhancing cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing health threats at the interface of humans, animals, and the environment. Among the highlights of EMPHNET’s participation was the contribution made by its Executive Director, Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour, who joined the panel discussion titled “One Health Success Stories: A Dialogue on Integration and Collaboration Within and Across Borders.”

During his intervention, Dr. Al Nsour stressed the urgency of translating the growing awareness of One Health into concrete actions. “We need to move beyond theory and adopt multisectoral coordination at all levels, ensuring that collaboration is not limited to emergency situations but becomes embedded in daily practice,” he emphasized. He particularly highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in a region where shared challenges such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change require joint responses.

In his presentation, Dr. Al Nsour also provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of One Health implementation in the MENA region. While acknowledging the notable progress made in institutionalizing the One Health approach and increasing awareness, he pointed to several persistent challenges. These include limited coordination mechanisms, funding gaps, and capacity constraints—particularly in areas such as surveillance systems, data sharing, workforce development, and policy alignment across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

EMPHNET’s participation at the conference also showcased its ongoing efforts in supporting countries in the region to operationalize the One Health approach. Through technical assistance, joint training programs, and continuous advocacy, EMPHNET works closely with ministries of health, agriculture, and environment to enhance coordination, build capacity, and foster a collaborative culture essential for addressing complex health challenges.

The conference concluded with a set of shared recommendations, emphasizing the integration of the One Health approach into national policies related to human, animal, and environmental health. It also called for increased investment in surveillance systems, early warning mechanisms, and multisectoral capacity building. Participants recommended the establishment of a regional center in Tunisia to coordinate efforts and facilitate knowledge exchange, along with the development of flexible legislation that accounts for the interconnectedness of health, the environment, and agriculture.