ILRI named first WOAH collaborating centre for One Health

KENYA –  The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has designated the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as its first-ever Collaborating Centre for One Health. 

The announcement was made during the closing session of WOAH’s 92nd General Session, held in Paris, France, from 25 to 29 May 2025.

The designation marks a major milestone in the integration of animal, human, and environmental health efforts worldwide. 

With this recognition, ILRI, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, becomes the inaugural institution globally entrusted by WOAH to lead in advancing the One Health agenda.

The 92nd General Session convened 183 WOAH member countries, along with representatives from partner international organisations, observer states, and key stakeholders. 

The event served as a critical platform for addressing animal health governance and shaping global veterinary standards.

“We are honoured by WOAH’s designation of ILRI as a Collaborating Centre for One Health,” said ILRI Director General Appolinaire Djikeng in his address to the assembly. 

“This recognition reinforces our commitment to leveraging livestock research for healthy people, healthy animals, and healthy ecosystems. ILRI will continue to work with partners to provide the One Health solutions that improve animal health management, drive innovations, mitigate emerging global threats and build sustainable resilience in food systems globally.”

Djikeng emphasised that ILRI also aims to strengthen the evidence base for addressing climate-related health challenges through integrated, science-based approaches.

As a WOAH Collaborating Centre, ILRI will focus on several strategic areas critical to global health. These include disease prevention, particularly zoonotic and emerging pathogens, through improved surveillance and early warning systems. 

It will also involve enhancing biosecurity and value chain practices to reduce disease risks, and applying epidemiological modelling and socio-economic impact analysis to inform policy. 

Additionally, ILRI will support climate-smart strategies to manage health vulnerabilities driven by environmental changes.

Decades of advancing One Health Approach in Africa and beyond 

ILRI’s designation builds on decades of experience in using the One Health approach in low- and middle-income countries. As a CGIAR research centre operating 14 offices across Africa and Asia, ILRI has established a broad, interdisciplinary network that connects science, policy, and practice to solve complex health challenges at the animal-human-environment interface.

WOAH Director General Emmanuelle Soubeyran welcomed the collaboration, stating: “ILRI’s interdisciplinary approach aligns with WOAH’s vision for One Health. We look forward to working closely with ILRI to advance the One Health agenda and build stronger, more resilient animal health systems globally.”

With growing threats from pandemics, climate change, and food insecurity, ILRI’s new role positions it at the forefront of coordinated global responses that safeguard both public and animal health.

WOAH launches flagship report 

In related news, WOAH released its first-ever flagship report, The State of the World’s Animal Health, during the event, which synthesises expert insights and comprehensive data from the organisation’s powerful surveillance systems, WAHIS and ANIMUSE. 

The report warns that unless urgent action is taken, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could cost the global economy US$100 trillion and jeopardise the food security of two billion people by 2050.

It examines major disease outbreaks, antimicrobial usage trends, and the role of vaccination in safeguarding both animal and human health.

“As the world faces increasingly complex health challenges, access to trusted, data-driven insight has never been more important,” said Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of WOAH.

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