The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has launched its One Health Biosecurity Programme, which aims to promote the integration of human, animal, plant and environmental health.
The launch of the programme is in line with the Joint International Action Plan on the One Health Approach for 2022-2026. The announcement was made during a workshop organised by ADAFSA, which was attended by international organisations affiliated to the United Nations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and relevant federal and local government agencies.
The One Health Biosecurity Programme aims to support Abu Dhabi's efforts to ensure the health and safety of the community and the environment. The initiative includes establishing an effective monitoring system to track and monitor health conditions associated with each sector, develop preventive policies and measures to limit the spread of diseases and epidemics and enhance the sustainability of natural resources.
The One Health Biosecurity Programme comprises eight key initiatives aimed at establishing an effective surveillance system based on the monitoring of human, animal, plant and environmental health conditions in Abu Dhabi. This includes analysing data to identify and assess risks and take the necessary preventive and corrective measures. The programme focuses on developing policies and measures based on plans and programmes to reduce the spread of diseases and epidemics, promoting awareness and education on biosecurity requirements, and training human cadres to apply best practices to enhance the sustainability of natural resources and protect them from pollution and overexploitation, including water and energy.
The programme also aims to facilitate integration across various sectors, including health, agriculture, environment, industry, and education. It emphasises the exchange of information and data between stakeholders to develop joint plans and programmes in line with the strategic objectives of the initiative.
Her Excellency Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, Deputy Director General for Regulatory and Administrative Affairs at Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, stated that the programme's launch in the presence of international organisations underscores the significance of international cooperation in promoting the concept of biosecurity and its comprehensive implementation. Her Excellency explained that the programme aims to leverage international experience and share best practices in the field of biosecurity.
The One Health Biosecurity Programme includes a steering committee, the One Health Committee – Abu Dhabi, which is responsible for developing plans and programmes, monitoring and evaluation, in accordance with the requirements of the One Health Approach.
The international organisations reaffirmed their support for Abu Dhabi in implementing a pioneering experience in the field of One Health, in line with relevant legislation, agreements and policies. The entities also pledged to disseminate these practices at regional and international levels. Representatives of the federal and local authorities attending the workshop reaffirmed their commitment to implementing and supporting the programme, with the aim of establishing Abu Dhabi as a regional and global model in the field of biosecurity and One Health.
