International Conference on One Health and Water: Safeguarding Human, Animals, and the Environment

International Conference on One Health and Water (OHW-2025) Held in Addis Ababa.

September 15-16, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWM) at Addis Ababa University, in collaboration with the Urban–Suburban Nexus Towards One Health Approach NORHED II Project, successfully hosted the International Conference on One Health and Water (OHW-2025): Safeguarding Humans, Animals, and the Environment.

The event brought together more than 100 participants, including experts, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from Ethiopia and abroad. Attendees engaged in discussions exploring the critical interconnections between water, health, and the environment, with the goal of developing sustainable solutions for a healthier planet.

In his welcoming address, Professor Feleke Zewge, Director of ACEWM and National Coordinator for the NORHED II Project on the One Health Approach, emphasized the importance of addressing health challenges through a holistic One Health framework.

Dr. Fikiru Regassa, State Minister at the FDRE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock System Transformation, and Dr. Feyesa Regassa, Chair of the National One Health Secretariat, delivered keynote addresses. Both speakers highlighted the national significance of One Health initiatives and commended the conference for fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

A panel discussion on "Urbanization and One Health" provided a dynamic platform for experts to deliberate on the opportunities and challenges posed by rapid urbanization and its implications for human, animal, and environmental health.

The OHW-2025 Conference concluded with a shared commitment among participants to strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, build research capacity, and promote innovative solutions for water and health management in Ethiopia and beyond.