The UAE warns of the repercussions of Iranian attacks on global health, the environment and food

The UAE issued a clear warning about the long-term repercussions of the ongoing illegal, unjustified and provocative regional attacks on global health, the environment and food systems, during its address to international leaders at the One Health Global Summit currently being held in the French city of Lyon, which was held at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, with the participation of heads of state and more than 30 ministers.

On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State (may God protect him), Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Community Protection, participated in the One Health Global Summit, which constituted one of the main outcomes of the presidency of the French Government of the G7 and represented the first time that heads of state and government met within the framework of “One Health.”

The Summit brought together the Quad Partnership – the World Health Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) along with governments from more than 20 countries at the ministerial level, hundreds of international organizations, in addition to representatives from the scientific community, the private sector and civil society.

During his intervention, Ahmed Al Sayegh condemned in the strongest terms the attacks that targeted the UAE, the Arab Gulf states, and the region, noting that the illegal, unjustified, and provocative attacks by Iran, which included more than 2,700 drones and missiles, are still causing losses to lives, livelihoods, vital civilian infrastructure, and the environment at the same time.

His Excellency stressed that human, animal and environmental health are inseparably interconnected, and that these risks are inherently intertwined, as pressures on one of these systems directly and quickly affect the other systems.

He added: “These developments underscore the close interconnection between human health, critical infrastructure, the environment and global supply chains, and the need to adopt a more integrated, prevention-based approach to enhance health security.”

He said that this is a war on the health of every country, every consumer, and every family that depends on the availability of energy and food at affordable prices. On ecosystems that are exposed to damage; And the vital resources we all share.

Al-Sayegh pointed out the importance of expanding the scope of the “One Health” approach to include environmental risks, such as air pollution, as they are among the most prominent factors causing chronic diseases and long-term health burdens worldwide.

He reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to promoting an integrated, prevention-based approach to health security, based on science, effective governance, and close international cooperation.

Al-Sayegh participated alongside the heads of delegations, including President Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, President Duma Gideon Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency Samdech Thebade Hun Manit, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Rachid Talbi Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco, along with ministers and leaders of global health and development financing organizations, in an official luncheon hosted by President Emmanuel Macron to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in advancing common health priorities.

He expressed his appreciation to His Excellency President Macron for his leadership and solidarity with the UAE during these circumstances.

On the sidelines of the summit, Al-Sayegh held bilateral meetings with ministerial delegations, including Indonesia, Italy and the Republic of Korea, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in the health sector and related sectors.

The UAE called on partners and participants to unite around the “One Health” approach to protect human, animal and environmental health, despite the current regional security situation, and at a time when cooperation between countries is witnessing increasing challenges.

Al Sayegh stressed the UAE’s support for the “One Health and Beyond” declaration, and its cooperation with the global network of centers of excellence in this field, reiterating the country’s commitment to developing practical, implementation-based solutions that integrate health, environment and climate priorities.