Experts on multisectoral coordination and One Health from around the world in a variety of sectors and disciplines as well as staff from the headquarters, regional, and country offices of WHO, OIE and FAO gathered at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland from 16-18 January 2019 to contribute to the development of a draft FAO-OIE-WHO (Tripartite) Multisectoral Coordination Mechanism (MCM) workbook for zoonotic diseases.

The establishment of mechanisms for national or subnational coordination across sectors is critical to effectively address zoonotic diseases and other health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. Countries have identified gaps in such coordination during zoonotic disease emergencies, as well as during internal and external assessment processes, including the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (IHR MEF), National Bridging Workshops (NBWs), the OIE Performance of Veterinary Service (PVS), and FAO assessments. These gaps are also included in national action planning. Operational guidance on how to fill these gaps, however, was lacking.

The aim of this Workbook is to provide practical support to countries in either building a new MCM, modifying an existing coordination structure to act as the MCM, or strengthening an existing MCM for zoonotic diseases. The workbook leads multisectoral partners through each step of the development or strengthening process, including assessment of existing structures and monitoring and evaluation of processes and outcomes. Experts at the Geneva meeting worked through country scenarios to test the workbook content and offer practical comments and advice on how to make it clear and flexible enough for practical application in any country. This draft workbook will now be updated and then piloted in several countries in 2019. After finalization, the workbook will be distributed in all 6 UN languages as part of the Guidance document ‘Taking a Multisectoral, One Health Approach; A Tripartite Guide to Addressing Zoonotic Diseases in Countries’ (also referred to as the Tripartite Zoonoses Guide).