One Health & food systems research from CGIAR

Hung Nguyen-Viet. 2025. One Health & food systems research from CGIAR. One Health 20: 100783.

Background: CGIAR is a global research partnership dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. CGIAR is implementing a portfolio of 32 research initiatives (2022–24) including CGIAR One Health initiative to address zoonotic and foodborne diseases and antimicrobial resistance in food systems in LMIC settings. In addition, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), as a member of CGIAR implements a One Health program that aims to manage effectively or eliminate livestock, zoonotic and foodborne diseases that matter to poor people through generation and utilization of new knowledge, technologies and products.

Purpose: In this paper, we will present the ILRI One Health strategy, and findings of One Health projects implemented with partners across Asia and Africa, and discuss the learnings of development and implementation of the One Health research program for food system transformation.

Findings: These One Health research program includes CGIAR One Health Initiative, One Health Center for Africa (OHRECA), Capacitating One Health in East and Southern Africa (COHESA), rangeland management, food safety, zoonoses and AMR projects in Southeast and South Asia. All projects generated One Health evidence on hazards and risks, developed solutions / interventions to reduce risks and built the capacities in One Health for different actors as well as advocated for One Health investment at central and local level and translated research into policy and action. For example, we have developed a strong understanding of zoonotic diseases risks as well as sought to address them by developing an integrated zoonotic diseases surveillance system at the interface of animals (livestock and wildlife), humans, and the environment, in the context of wildlife farming. A decade of One Health incentive-based & behavior change interventions in traditional markets & meat processing sectors in Vietnam, Cambodia, Kenya, & Uganda is cultivating an environment of improved food safety & reduced foodborne diseases. We also informed policy by supporting the integration of the existing technical working group (TWG) for food safety into the national One Health mechanism in Vietnam, as well as supporting the establishment of a new TWG for food safety in Ethiopia and supported the national One Health platforms. On the ground, we are collaborating with local authorities to implement the One Health concept, supporting the development of laboratories and establishing One Health research sites, particularly in Vietnam and Kenya.

Conclusions: One Health program at CGIAR demonstrates how integrating One Health principles and tools into food systems can help reduce and contain zoonotic disease outbreaks; to improve food and water safety and reduce anti-microbial resistance, benefiting human, animal and environmental health; and to encourage countries to adopt a One Health approach.