Thank you very much for participating in the 6th One Health International Forum in Fukuoka.

This forum has been held since FY2020, with the aim of solving issues related to zoonotic infections such as COVID-19 through the One Health approach by world-class researchers across various fields, and to send out their research results from Fukuoka, the site of the Fukuoka Declaration, to the world.

Many emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, SARS, and MERS, are zoonotic infections, and in preparation for the next emerging infectious disease, it is important for us to think of the health of humans, animals, and the environment as an interconnected whole, and to practice the One Health philosophy in an integrated manner.

An expert committee consisting of specialists from international organizations and research institutes working to promote One Health was established to enhance the forum’ s expertise further. We had support from the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) One Health Fukuoka Office, serving as the secretariat of the Executive Committee of this forum. FAVA has a network of international organizations and researchers across various Asian countries and also offers planning and cooperation for One Health programs.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those involved for their efforts in making this forum a better one.

In Fukuoka Prefecture, the “Fukuoka Prefecture One Health Promotion Basic Ordinance” was enacted in December 2020, the first of its kind in Japan. The “Fukuoka One Health Action Plan” was developed in March 2022, and the “Ordinance Related to Promotion and Practice of One Health in Fukuoka, including the Creation of Better Relationships with the Environment, Humans, and Animals,” was enacted in October 2022.

Based on that action plan, we are currently moving forward to develop the country’ s first One Health Center. This center will integrate the functions of the Institute of Health and Environmental Sciences, which focuses on human health and environmental conservation, with those of the Animal Health and Hygiene Center, which centralizes the management of the health and hygiene of livestock, wild animals, and pets. The center is scheduled to begin operation during fiscal year 2027.

Additionally, starting this fiscal year, we launched the “One Health Future Conference,” where residents selected through public recruitment discuss local One Health initiatives and submit proposals to the prefecture. Based on proposals from the Future Conference, we will advance One Health initiatives to encourage many residents to take action, considering One Health as their own responsibility.

We will continue advancing One Health initiatives to protect the lives of future generations and promote it not only in Japan but also across Asia and the world. I sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

In conclusion, it is our desire that this forum will provide an opportunity for active discussion of One Health issues, further deepen understanding of One Health among as many people as possible, and spread actions and activities that are based on the One Health philosophy. I would like to wish all the participants good health and continued success.