Morocco Participates in ‘One Health’ International Summit in Lyon
Agadir, The Gulf Observer: Rachid Talbi El Alami, President of Morocco’s House of Representatives, is representing the Kingdom at the high-level “One Health” International Summit currently underway in Lyon.
The Moroccan delegation includes Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, alongside senior officials from her ministry and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. Rajae Benchaji, Morocco’s Consul General in Lyon, is also part of the delegation.
The summit, hosted by the Government of France, convened on April 7 in conjunction with World Health Day. It brings together heads of state and government, international organisations, scientists, and civil society representatives to address global health challenges through a unified approach.
The “One Health” initiative underscores the interconnection between human, animal, plant, and environmental health, advocating coordinated, science-based strategies to tackle shared risks. The summit is a result of a quadripartite partnership involving the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
According to the WHO, the summit aims to strengthen international and interdisciplinary dialogue, promote collaborative research programmes, and reform global institutional frameworks to establish a shared “One Health” culture.
The initiative also seeks to mobilise public and private stakeholders to implement practical solutions that enhance health systems and surveillance mechanisms, helping to prevent health, food, and environmental risks worldwide.
In earlier remarks announcing the summit, Emmanuel Macron highlighted the importance of advancing research, innovation, and science-driven policymaking. He stressed that a multilateral and coordinated global approach is essential to effectively address emerging health challenges amid increasing global fragmentation.
The summit further emphasises the critical role of public-private partnerships, alongside the inclusive participation of civil society and youth, as key pillars for advancing the “One Health” agenda and ensuring sustainable global health outcomes.
