With its new designation, the UCD Centre for One Health will facilitate the implementation of the WHO agenda on One Health through aligned priorities in research and education including advocacy, knowledge sharing, lifelong learning and capacity building activities.

One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach that recognises that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals, plants, and their shared environment.

As the first WHO Collaborating Centre on One Health in Europe, the UCD Centre for One Health will promote and foster collaboration across sectors and countries to shape the implementation of a One Health approach in the region.

This will be done through a range of activities, including the development of One Health workshops, modules and outreach programmes for undergraduates, postgraduates, public servants, practitioners, policy makers and the wider public.

“This designation of the UCD Centre for One Health as the first WHO Collaborating Centre on One Heath in Europe is a testament to the quality and significance of UCD’s research and education in this important multi-disciplinary space,” said University College Dublin President, (opens in a new window)Professor Orla Feely.

“Joining a network of over 800 WHO Collaborating Centres in more than 80 countries around the world provides the UCD Centre for One Health with significant opportunities to exchange knowledge and information with other world-leading institutions, to strengthen Ireland’s national capacity for training, research and collaboration for health development, and to contribute to the international health agenda,” she continued.

“At the heart of our work at the WHO Regional Office for Europe is the commitment to collective action for a healthier region. One Health plays a key role in this, recognising the deep connections between human, animal, and environmental health,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe (pictured right).

“In today’s world, where health challenges are more complex than ever, this approach is essential. I’m excited to announce the launch of the Region’s first One Health Collaborating Center - a hub, placed in Dublin, Ireland, dedicated to driving research that leads to actionable solutions and policy recommendations,” he added.

Speaking at the announcement, Adjunct Professor Tony Holohan, Director of UCD's One Health Centre (pictured left) said, “The pandemic has shown us that the world is less resilient and more unequal than it should be. I am honoured as Director of the UCD One Health Centre that the WHO has placed its trust in us to play this important leadership role in One Health.”

“A One Health approach takes an integrated human, animal, plant and planetary perspective which is vital to the urgent need to address many of the great challenges facing humanity. We at the UCD One Health Centre  are excited to be at the international cutting edge of research, education and innovations that can make One Health action a reality,” he concluded.

UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, Professor Kate Robson Brown commented: "One Health research is a major focus at University College Dublin (UCD), aligning closely with the university’s strategic priorities and Ireland’s commitment to integrated health solutions. With deep expertise across human and veterinary medicine, environmental science, and agriculture, UCD is uniquely equipped to lead impactful One Health research that addresses the complex interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health.

"Through interdisciplinary collaboration and a focus on high-priority issues, UCD advances One Health as both a research and policy imperative. This commitment positions UCD as a leader in addressing multifaceted health challenges and promoting sustainable health practices across Ireland and internationally. As a World Health Organization (WHO)-designated center, UCD is recognized for its contributions to global health efforts and for driving innovation in One Health research.

The UCD Centre for One Health is a national and world-class leader in developing and facilitating strategies to implement One Health, a critical component of the UN Sustainable Development Goals that calls for a collaborative approach of multiple disciplines working together to optimise the health of people, animals and nature.

It was established in 2024 after the WHO called for increased commitment and investment in the One Health approach to tackle common threats such as climate change and pandemics.

The first of its kind in Europe, it drives research, education, and collaboration in One Health at national, regional, and global levels.