Leaders from Eastern and Southern Africa will gather in Lusaka from Dec. 11 to 12, 2025, for a landmark conference expected to produce a unified One Health Call to Action.
The initiative aims to strengthen the region’s response to rising health, environmental and climate-related threats.
Ms Winnie Kariuki of Global Health Strategies disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
She said the summit was taking place at a decisive moment for the region.
“Hosted by the Government of Zambia in collaboration with SADC, the World Bank and the Quadripartite Alliance, the Regional One Health Conference will bring together ministers, policymakers, private sector leaders, scientists, youth representatives and civil society groups at the InterContinental Lusaka.
“The event seeks to consolidate political commitment and outline concrete steps to integrate human, animal and environmental health strategies across borders,” she said.
Kariuki noted that the anticipated declaration comes at a time when the region faces multiple emergencies — from emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to worsening climate shocks driven by increased interactions between people, animals and fragile ecosystems.
“The One Health Call to Action is coming at a critical time. Our region is facing overlapping threats, from emerging diseases to the pressures of climate change.
“This declaration offers a unified pathway for countries to work together, strengthen preparedness and protect vulnerable populations,” she said.
She said delegates at the two-day meeting are expected to deliberate on regional coordination mechanisms, gaps in surveillance systems, financing for One Health programmes and the need to build climate-resilient health systems.
“There will also be sessions focused on youth leadership, community engagement and the role of the private sector in accelerating preparedness and response,” she added.
Kariuki emphasized that the success of the declaration would depend on long-term political commitment and the willingness of countries to embed One Health into their national development plans.
“This conference is more than a gathering of leaders; it is an opportunity to solidify long-term systems that integrate human, animal and environmental health.
“If countries endorse and implement the Call to Action, we will see improvements in surveillance, cross-border coordination and climate-resilient health systems across Eastern and Southern Africa,” she said.
She noted that the conference comes as the region continues to battle recurrent outbreaks, including cholera, Rift Valley fever, avian influenza and anthrax, alongside rising AMR cases and food safety concerns.
“Experts believe the unified One Health approach will help reduce the cost of emergency responses, strengthen early detection systems and support countries to contain threats before they escalate,” she added.
Kariuki also underscored the importance of ensuring that the Call to Action reflects the experiences of communities most affected by intersecting health and climate crises.
“One Health must include communities, especially young people who are shaping the future of health and climate action.
“A regional declaration is strongest when it reflects the voices and lived realities of those on the front lines of environmental and public health challenges,” she said.
She said member states are expected to jointly endorse the One Health Call to Action at the end of the summit, signalling renewed commitment to collaboration, resource mobilization and the institutionalization of One Health across national and regional frameworks.
