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Writer's pictureSEAOHUN
Nov 6

WWF and Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN) Announce Cooperative Partnership

Strategic Partnership Aims to Bridge and Advance One Health Approach and Conservation Efforts in the Region



CHIANG MAI / HONG KONG, 3 November 2024 - Today (One Health Day), WWF and SEAOHUN announced a strategic partnership dedicated to amplifying the One Health approach in Southeast Asia and provide opportunities for SEAOHUN to collaborate with regional WWF offices in capacity building, research, and communications. Conservation efforts targeted at this intersection can improve human health by strengthening wildlife and ecosystem resilience. The partnership is expected to significantly impact conservation and public health in Southeast Asia through data and scientific research stewardship, epidemiological innovations, health and conservation planning, and advice to governments and scientific authorities.


SEAOHUN, established in 2011 and with a secretariat based in Chiang Mai, is a regional network of universities committed to building health systems resilience through workforce capacity building and knowledge exchange. It acts as an umbrella organization for One Health networks in 8 countries throughout Southeast Asia and offers fellowships for early/mid-career professionals by pairing them with leading academic and research institutions, government agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, or private sector entities.


Through the WWF Asia-Pacific Counter-Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) Hub, WWF will coordinate and mobilize resources with SEAOHUN and its national networks to help pursue collective actions to implement the agreement. WWF-Hong Kong coordinates the Asia Pacific Counter-IWT Hub and works closely with WWF offices in Asia Pacific. Nicole Wong, CEO of WWF-Hong Kong, and Dr. Michael L. Tee, Chairman of the Executive Board of SEAOHUN, signed the partnership agreement.


“We believe the scope of this groundbreaking partnership offers great opportunities for our community to collaborate, ultimately benefiting the health and well-being of people in the region by placing wildlife and nature more broadly at the core of One Health initiatives,” said Dr. Tongkorn Meeyam, Executive Director of SEAOHUN.


Nicole Wong expressed her pride in the partnership with SEAOHUN, stating that their shared commitments will enhance the visibility and recognition of the role of conservation in One Health Approaches. ‘‘The partnership will optimize our collective expertise and operationalize the pool of resources from WWF, SEAOHUN, and respective partners to empower scientific research and address risks of zoonotic diseases associated with environmental degradation. Ultimately, these efforts will strengthen One Health systems and reduce outbreaks and epidemics in Southeast Asia.”


Natalie Phaholyothin, CEO of WWF-Thailand, said, "A huge congratulations to WWF and SEAOHUN for this momentous partnership. WWF-Thailand will continue to support capacity-building, facilitate local coordination with relevant One Health stakeholders, and collaborate on communications and public awareness outreach to highlight scientifically rigorous ways to address the risk of zoonotic diseases associated with environmental degradation."


According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), One Health represents a multisectoral, transdisciplinary and collaborative approach that balances the health of people, animals and the environment. It addresses complex health issues such as pandemics, zoonotic diseases associated with wildlife trade and consumption, food safety, and antimicrobial resistance. The One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH-JPA) was published in 2022. An initiative driven by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the OH-JPA is an implementation guide for governments and other agencies to incorporate One Health considerations into policy, organizational development and data collection.


“A key component of the OH-JPA is integration with the environment, especially biodiversity and wildlife. It is imperative that we engage with all agents in this sector so that we can further enhance our understanding of this issue and appropriately engage communities,” said Professor Dirk Pfeiffer, Director of the Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice (OHRP) at City University of Hong Kong (CityU)’s Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences. "Sustainability is both a challenge and an opportunity. Through this SEAOHUN-WWF collaboration, I hope we can equip the next generation of health professionals with interdisciplinary skills and technological tools to face the complex challenges ahead. Healthy ecosystems are essential for human health, and greater collaboration is needed to address interconnected health challenges,” he added.


A collaborative partner of both WWF and SEAOHUN, WOAH’s Sub-Regional Representative to Southeast Asia, Dr. Ronello Abila, stated, “WOAH looks forward to this SEAOHUN-WWF partnership as we chart actions to the implement the new ASEAN Strategy for Preventing Transmission to Zoonotic Diseases from Wildlife Trade, OH-JPA and our very own WOAH Wildlife Health Framework. This partnership signifies a concerted effort to address Southeast Asia’s pressing environmental and health challenges. By strengthening One Health systems and integration in health and environmental planning, as well as promoting local engagements and technologies, both organizations are poised to make tangible and sustainable impacts. WOAH will continue to leverage resources and support to both SEAOHUN and WWF.”


WWF formed a One Health Task Force to research, identify, and offer guidance on this approach within its stated conservation mission. In parallel, One Health has been identified as a critical area within WWF’s regional zero-extinction strategies. “Southeast Asia is a highly biodiverse region with an increased potential for disease spillover due to human-induced drivers such as land use change. A collaboration with SEAOHUN represents an opportunity to strengthen the adoption of One Health prevention and mitigation strategies that support the well-being of staff, communities, and wildlife in the environment that we share.,” said Dr. Prishani Vengetas, WWF One Health Coordinator.


WWF and SEAOHUN have already been discussing collaboration to further develop a Zoonotic Risk Predictor Machine Learning system which is currently being piloted. WWF-Greater Mekong has also engaged with SEAOHUN to explore how to collectively develop social and behavioural change communication to reduce the threat of potential zoonotic disease spillover risks originating from the wildlife trade.


Since the start of the century, the risk of new and emerging zoonotic diseases has increased, with scientists estimating that more than 60% of every known infectious disease can be spread from animals to humans and 75% of every new or emerging infectious disease originates in animals. Biodiversity loss, increasing natural resource and wildlife exploitation, and a growing proximity between humans, domesticated animals, and wildlife are significant drivers of zoonotic disease spread. Through collaborations, a better understanding of these issues can be reached, and solutions can be collectively developed to address them.




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