A Commitment to Building a Sustainable Future for Humans, Animals, and the Environment

Dhaka, November 12, 2025:

Bangladesh has joined the global observance of One Health Day 2025, reaffirming its commitment to recognizing the interconnectedness between humans, animals, and the environment and to building a sustainable and safer future for all.

This initiative was jointly organized by icddr,b, the Government of Bangladesh, the One Health Secretariat, and the One Health Bangladesh Platform, with support from the Sasakawa Health Foundation. The event brought together representatives from government and non-government organizations, policymakers, health and livestock experts, researchers, and academicians.

Theme of the Year:

“One Health – Together for a Safer World”

The key message of this year’s event highlighted the importance of collaborative action in ensuring health awareness and protection across humans, animals, and ecosystems.

Speakers emphasized that the One Health approach plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation, controlling infectious diseases, ensuring food security, and tackling climate change-related risks.

Main Activities

The program featured:

• Keynote Presentations
• Poster Exhibition and Award Ceremony
• Panel Discussion on “One Health in Action”

The discussion explored how public participation in Bangladesh’s One Health movement has evolved — from its inception to the growing citizen engagement in current initiatives.

Key Speakers’ Remarks

Dr. Ahmad Amanullah Ahmad, Executive Director of icddr,b, said:

“One Health is not only essential for Bangladesh but also for all low- and middle-income countries. Today’s event provides a platform to discuss shared challenges and explore sustainable solutions.”

Brigadier General Aniruddha Chowdhury, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (Disease Control and Research), stated:

“We are losing environmental balance. Without unified efforts, it will be impossible to address major health risks.”

Dr. Abu Sayeed, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, added:

“Stronger inter-ministerial collaboration and coordination are needed to achieve One Health goals.”

Dr. Tanima Nasrin, Scientist at icddr,b, noted:

“Through One Health, we express our pledge to build a healthier and safer Bangladesh. Public awareness and evidence-based actions will be the key drivers of this journey.”

Scientific Highlights

During the panel discussions, experts shared insights on tackling zoonotic diseases (those transmitted between animals and humans), antimicrobial resistance, and health threats driven by climate change.

Their key observations included:

• Integrated cooperation between humans, animals, and the environment is vital for sustainable solutions.
• Local-level initiatives are crucial for raising awareness and protecting at-risk occupational groups.
• Reducing the misuse of antibiotics has become an urgent priority.

Youth Engagement and Awards

Students from various educational institutions across the country presented 10 posters, with the top three teams winning first, second, and third prizes for their contributions.

One Health Day: A Global Movement

One Health Day is observed annually on November 3 in many countries worldwide to highlight the interconnectedness between humans, animals, and the environment. In Bangladesh, this initiative is steadily increasing awareness among both citizens and policymakers.

Through this vision, Bangladesh aims to achieve:

• Prevention of health risks
• Assurance of food safety
• Combatting antibiotic resistance
• Conservation of biodiversity for future generations

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