One Health: a perspective of the informal ministerial network : "What if the One Health approach became the guiding theme of cooperation at the national, European and global level?"

In the view of the German government, the One Health approach is a pioneering compass for inter- and transdisciplinary thinking, networking, and action. To protect the health of humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems, it should always receive attention at all its interfaces and activities. The One Health approach has gained political importance in recent years and is being taken into account in several strategies.This article reports on the current strategies using a One Health approach. These include the German Antibiotic Resistance Strategy, the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change, the global initiative Nature for Health, and the international pandemic agreement, which is currently being drafted and in which prevention also plays an important role. The issues of biodiversity loss and climate protection must be placed in a common context that takes into account the interdependencies of the health status of humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems. By involving relevant disciplines at different levels as a matter of course, we can succeed in making a joint contribution to sustainable development, as required by the United Nations' Agenda 2030. This perspective guides Germany's global engagement in global health policy toward greater stability, freedom, diversity, solidarity, and respect for human rights. Thus, a holistic approach such as One Health can contribute to achieving sustainability and strengthening democratic principles.