Dubai’s One Health Conference, held on June 23rd and 24th, 2023, proved groundbreaking in the global health landscape. Chaired by Professor Yahia Chebloune, the conference aimed to address the links between public health, animal health, plant health, and environmental quality through a unified approach.
Under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, the conference brought together experts and researchers to discuss the comprehensive health initiative’s implementation in Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Professor Yahia Chebloune emphasized the urgent need for Arab countries’ participation in the initiative, highlighting the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic regarding infectious diseases and global health preparedness.
Dr. Maryam Matar, the founder and president of the Sheikh Zayed Centre for Genetic Research, stressed the significance of the genetic axis in disease prevention and control. Discussions at the conference revolved around early and accurate disease detection, considering the genetic component of bacteria and germs and the impact of genetic diversity on disease susceptibility and treatment responsiveness.
The conference’s success was evident in fostering active interaction and cooperation between different sectors for disease prevention and control. It marked the beginning of an annual event, promising to advance the One Health concept and its implementation worldwide.
