Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister\u00a0Abdul Awal Mintoo today said 'One Health' must move from policy to action.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stressed the need for building resilient agrifood systems and sustainable\u00a0livelihoods by anticipating, mitigating and preventing risks instead of\u00a0merely responding after emergencies occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The environment minister made the remarks while delivering the keynote\u00a0address at the plenary session titled \"One Health for a Better Life: From\u00a0Emergency Preparedness and Response to Resilient Agrifood Systems and\u00a0
Sustainable Livelihoods\", held at the Plenary Hall of the Food and\u00a0Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy,\u00a0according to a message received here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the health of people and animals, ecosystems and the environment are\u00a0closely interconnected.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A risk arising in one area can quickly affect the others. Bangladesh's food\u00a0and livelihood systems are closely linked to agriculture, livestock,\u00a0fisheries and natural resources,\" he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, Mintoo said, climate change, environmental degradation,\u00a0biodiversity loss and emerging health risks are creating growing pressures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that One Health is not merely a health-sector programme but an\u00a0integrated approach that connects health security, environmental\u00a0sustainability, food security, resilient livelihoods and sustainable\u00a0development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Highlighting Bangladesh's commitment, the minister said the Third One Health\u00a0Strategic Framework 2025-2030 has been formulated in continuation of the\u00a0National One Health Strategic Framework adopted in 2012.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inter-ministerial coordination mechanism and the One Health Secretariat\u00a0are serving as important platforms for cooperation, information exchange and\u00a0coordinated action among different sectors, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referring to the experiences of avian influenza and the COVID-19 pandemic, he\u00a0said preparedness is not a final destination; it must continue to evolve as\u00a0risks change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This requires integrated surveillance and early-warning systems, biosecurity,\u00a0stronger laboratory and field-level capacity, and a deeper understanding of\u00a0the environmental, ecological and socioeconomic drivers of disease emergence,\u00a0Mintoo said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He described climate resilience as an inseparable part of health resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He emphasised the need to connect climate adaptation, disaster preparedness,\u00a0ecosystem restoration, community resilience and nature-based solutions with\u00a0One Health priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bangladesh minister said today's emergency risks cross national borders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Effective preparedness therefore requires a whole-of-government approach,\u00a0multisectoral cooperation, and strong regional and international\u00a0partnerships, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Appreciating the support of FAO and other international and regional\u00a0partners, Mintoo called for pandemic prevention and preparedness to be linked\u00a0with resilient agrifood systems, sustainable livelihoods, environmental\u00a0
sustainability and climate resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He put emphasis on country-led solutions, stronger national capacity and the\u00a0practical application of global knowledge at the local level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister said Bangladesh remains committed to advancing the One Health\u00a0agenda through national initiatives, regional cooperation and international\u00a0partnerships.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He called upon all partners to work with Bangladesh to turn One Health from\u00a0policy into action and from action into measurable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The panel discussion was attended by Nigeria's Minister of Livestock\u00a0Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha; Douglas Hoelscher, Minister-Counselor for\u00a0Agricultural Affairs of the United States in Rome; Sopon Iamsirithaworn,\u00a0
Deputy Permanent Secretary of Thailand's Ministry of Public Health; Memduh\u00a0Unal, Director at the Islamic Organisation for Food Security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy A. T. M. Rokebul Haque, other senior\u00a0representatives, delegates from various organizations, observers and experts\u00a0were present there.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister\u00a0Abdul Awal Mintoo today said 'One Health' must move from policy to action.\u00a0 He stressed the need for building resilient agrifood systems and sustainable\u00a0livelihoods by anticipating, mitigating and preventing risks instead of\u00a0merely responding after emergencies occur. The environment minister made the remarks while delivering the keynote\u00a0address at the plenary session […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":37577,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,93],"tags":[54],"class_list":["post-37576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bangladesh","category-nationwide","tag-54"],"yoast_head":"\n