The collaboration between the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) marks a significant stride toward addressing global health challenges. With a shared focus on advancing animal health systems, this partnership aims to integrate scientific research with policy-making to ensure food security, promote economic resilience, and foster environmental sustainability.
A Strategic Meeting in Nairobi
On February 16, a pivotal meeting took place at ILRI’s Nairobi campus, bringing together ILRI leadership and WOAH Director General Emmanuelle Soubeyran. This gathering laid the groundwork for translating the designation of ILRI as WOAH’s first One Health collaborating center into actionable priorities. The discussions emphasized the need for a cohesive strategy that interlinks animal health, climate change, and governance within the One Health framework.
Shared Vision and Commitment
The partnership is anchored in a commitment to shared priorities. Appolinaire Djikeng, ILRI’s Director General, underscored the organization’s role in generating evidence on animal health and climate change. This evidence is crucial for strengthening veterinary services, which are essential for making a tangible impact alongside WOAH. Soubeyran echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of developing technical foundations that empower member states to enhance their animal health systems.
Five Core Pillars of Collaboration
Ekta Patel, ILRI scientist and primary contact for the WOAH One Health Collaborating Center, outlined a collaborative framework structured around five core pillars. These include:
- Disease surveillance, modeling, and risk assessment
- Biosecurity and animal health interventions across value chains
- Climate-smart One Health strategies
- Workforce development and community engagement
- Governance, policy, and legal frameworks
Patel emphasized that this framework is not solely a research agenda; it is an institutional commitment to aligning scientific findings with the realities of animal, human, and environmental health.
Bridging Research and Implementation
Simon Brooker, leader of ILRI’s health program, pointed out that collaboration with WOAH allows research to extend beyond academic circles into actionable policy and programmatic guidance. The ultimate goal is to enhance the health of livestock and farming communities while ensuring that research directly informs policy decisions.
Climate Change: A Crucial Focus
The discussions highlighted climate change as a defining challenge impacting animal health. Soubeyran noted the urgency of developing standards for new breeding techniques and their implications for animal health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of genetics, productivity, and climate adaptation. The need for robust data to assess how animal health interventions affect climate outcomes was a recurring theme, with both organizations recognizing the importance of integrating this data into their collaborative efforts.
Economic Evidence for Investment
A critical focus during the meeting was the necessity of data in advocating for animal health. WOAH stressed the importance of quantifying the economic burden of animal diseases and demonstrating the return on investment to policymakers. The Global Burden of Animal Diseases initiative was highlighted as a vital tool in this endeavor, providing insights that connect health outcomes to broader economic productivity and development goals.
Proactive Research and Governance
Participants collectively agreed that the collaboration should prioritize proactive research aimed at preventing outbreaks rather than merely responding to them. Target areas for alignment include rabies elimination, zoonotic tuberculosis, and avian influenza. Lillian Wambua, WOAH’s regional One Health officer, emphasized the importance of crafting research that focuses on prevention, allowing the partnership to shape a proactive research agenda.
Strengthening African Governance
The strategic decision to locate the collaborating center in Africa is particularly significant. Many low- and middle-income countries in this region face challenges in implementing One Health governance frameworks. Wambua pointed out that institutionalizing One Health requires robust data to support legal frameworks and budget allocations. ILRI has expressed its willingness to bolster national veterinary services, aligning with WOAH’s Performance of Veterinary Services program to enhance veterinary system performance globally.
Conclusion: A Future of Healthier Livestock and Communities
The meeting between ILRI and WOAH signifies a transformative approach to collaboration between research institutions and intergovernmental organizations. By aligning WOAH’s authority in animal health standards with ILRI’s scientific expertise, this partnership seeks to translate evidence into actionable policy. Together, they aim to advance healthier livestock systems, resilient communities, and sustainable food systems, all while navigating the complexities of a climate-constrained world.
- Shared Commitment: The partnership is grounded in mutual priorities for global health challenges.
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Five Pillars: Collaboration is structured around disease surveillance, biosecurity, climate strategies, workforce development, and governance.
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Data-Driven Advocacy: Economic evidence is vital for elevating animal health in discussions on climate adaptation and global health.
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Proactive Approach: The focus on anticipatory research aims to prevent outbreaks and enhance health systems.
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Strengthening Governance: The collaboration emphasizes capacity building in Africa to support effective One Health implementation.
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