Mayors and high-level representatives of local governments from across the globe convened in Lyon today to inaugurate an international coalition of cities dedicated to applying the One Health approach at the municipal level. The announcement was made during the One Health Summit hosted by France.

The International Forum of Local Leaders on One Health, jointly organized by the WHO as an official partner event of the Summit, gathered around 50 mayors and senior local officials from cities spanning five continents.

Discussions and presentations highlighted the wide range of One Health challenges confronting urban areas. These included urban governance and climate transition strategies in Lyon and Port Moresby; air quality management efforts in Casablanca; biodiversity-centered governance in Curridabat; and integrated urban health and food systems planning in Montpellier. Additional insights were shared by representatives from Akonolinga, Apartadó, Paris, Singapore, Marseille, Izmir, Liège, Bouaké and Lahti. The Forum concluded with a moderated exchange focused on identifying common priorities, shared obstacles and practical pathways for coordinated action to foster healthier and more resilient communities.

The central outcome of the Forum is the establishment of a new international coalition of cities. Initially bringing together approximately 15 cities over a three-year period, the coalition will promote peer-to-peer collaboration, support innovative pilot initiatives, and develop openly accessible knowledge resources, tools and operational indicators.

Participants were also introduced to the One Health for Cities methodological guide, a hands-on resource designed to support local and regional authorities in shaping strategies, establishing governance frameworks and embedding equity principles into their One Health policies.

Learning and capacity-building for cities

The Forum represents a major initiative under the WHO Academy’s Healthy Cities flagship programme. It brought together mayors, municipal representatives and partners worldwide to present concrete examples of local implementation, identify systemic barriers and strengthen collective efforts to advance One Health in urban settings.

Through co-organizing the Forum alongside partners and WHO technical departments, the WHO Academy is helping translate global policy commitments into tangible local action. Its goal is to ensure that cities have the knowledge, networks and tools needed to implement One Health approaches effectively. During the event, a variety of WHO Academy learning resources were presented, and the Forum’s conclusions will directly shape the development of a practical learning programme tailored for cities and regions.

The gathering concluded with an official reception hosted by the Mayor of Lyon at City Hall, providing an opportunity for continued dialogue among mayors and institutional partners.

Convened under the French G7 Presidency and aligned with World Health Day, the One Health Summit marked the first event of its kind to assemble heads of state and government alongside international organizations, parliamentarians, scientists, private sector representatives, civil society, local authorities and youth. Its objective is to accelerate global implementation of the One Health approach.