FAO-SEAOHUN Partnership Targets One Health Workforce Development and Knowledge Sharing

Bangkok  -- One Health’s strength depends on the people who deliver it, and the pipeline starts with young professionals. For the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), strengthening this workforce is essential to protect agrifood systems, safeguard livelihoods and reduce disease risks at the human, animal and environmental interface.

One Health is a collaborative approach that unites different sectors together to prevent and manage health risks. Building a resilient One Health workforce means supporting individuals at every stage, from university classrooms to frontline services. That is the focus of a new partnership between FAO and the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN), a regional network of over 100 universities in Southeast Asia.

The partnership was formalized today through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand. The five-year agreement creates a framework to advance One Health capacity across Southeast Asia through education, training and practical experience.

Under the MoU, FAO and SEAOHUN will collaborate in two main areas: capacity building of One Health professionals and exchanges of One Health knowledge and expertise. A joint workplan for 2025 to 2030 outlines practical cooperation, including technical support for One Health training for university students and in-service professionals, fellowship placements for youth and early to mid-career professionals, and collaboration on research that supports One Health action.

The partnership will also promote knowledge exchange through conferences, webinars and shared learning platforms, including the Southeast Asia One Health Workforce Academies, to broaden access to learning opportunities and strengthen professional networks across countries.

 “Youth engagement is fundamental to advancing FAO’s One Health agenda,” said Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific. “Empowering young people with meaningful platforms, practical skills and strong professional networks is not optional – it is imperative. As zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety risks grow more complex and interconnected, investing in the next generation of professionals is critical to driving cross-sectoral solutions and safeguarding the resilience of our agrifood systems for the future.

“SEAOHUN strives to cultivate a future‑ready One Health workforce to meet today’s complex health challenges. Joining hands with FAO strengthens our shared mission to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and empower the next generation to protect communities from emerging health threats and build resilient agrifood systems across Southeast Asia.”  said Dr Walasinee Sakcamduang, Chair of SEAOHUN Foundation Board.

FAO and SEAOHUN will regularly coordinate to guide implementation and review progress under the partnership. By supporting students, early-career leaders and in-service professionals, the collaboration aims to build a stronger One Health workforce for Southeast Asia.

About FAO

FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

About SEAOHUN

SEAOHUN is a regional platform accelerating a future‑ready One Health workforce. Across more than 100 universities in eight Southeast Asian countries, SEAOHUN equips professionals to tackle interconnected global health challenges through integrated that address human–animal–environment risks and enable rapid action against emerging threats.