Phnom Penh Mobilizes for One Health Ahead of Lyon Summit

Five days before the Lyon One Health Summit, which will bring together heads of state, international organizations, and scientists on April 7, 2026, under the aegis of the French G7 presidency, more than 300 stakeholders are mobilizing in Phnom Penh to take stock of the “One Health” approach in Cambodia.

Mr. Olivier Richard, Ambassador of France to Cambodia

Co-organized by the Cambodian Interministerial Coordination Committee on One Health (IMCC-OH) and supported by Équipe France – Cirad, IRD in Asia, French Development Agency (AFD), and Pasteur Institute of Cambodia –, this forum assesses how international commitments are translated into local health, agriculture, and environment policies.

A Consolidated Multi-Ministerial Governance

The event was inaugurated by H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, H.E. Mr. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, H.E. Dr. Eang Sophallet, Minister of Environment, and Mr. Olivier Richard, Ambassador of France to Cambodia. This high-level opening illustrates the strengthening of an interministerial mechanism – the IMCC-OH – tasked with coordinating the national One Health strategy, formalized by the Cambodian government and aligned with the recommendations of the Quadripartite (FAO, WHO, UNEP, WOAH). According to the WHO Western Pacific Region, this body facilitates early detection, prevention, and response to cross-border risks, such as H5N1 avian influenza.

Concrete Implementation of Lyon's Objectives

The Lyon One Health Summit aims to strengthen the prevention and surveillance of health risks, particularly zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), sustainable food systems, and pollution. In Phnom Penh, the discussions showed how these priorities are implemented locally: joint research programs on rabies led by Cirad and the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia, AFD support for modernizing epidemiological surveillance and food safety systems, or Quadripartite projects on antimicrobial resistance and the management of transboundary animal diseases. These initiatives illustrate the implementation of the National One Health Strategy 2022-2026, which aims to better integrate human, animal, and environmental health into sectoral policies.

Structured Franco-Cambodian Cooperation

The presence of Équipe France in Phnom Penh underscores the strategic dimension of cooperation between France and Cambodia in public health. Cirad and IRD contribute through research projects on emerging diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and ecosystem health, while AFD funds programs to strengthen health systems and biological risk management. The Pasteur Institute of Cambodia, a research institution under the high patronage of the Ministry of Health and associated with the Pasteur Network, plays a central interfacing role between research, health services, and public authorities. This chain of partnerships, closely linked to the One Health approach, positions Cambodia as a credible regional actor ahead of the Lyon Summit and the commitments that will follow.