Claude Gambey, New Caledonia’s government member in charge of health, joined global leaders and scientists at the One Health Summit held from 5 to 7 April in Lyon, reinforcing the territory’s commitment to integrated approaches linking human, animal and environmental health.
The summit convened policymakers, researchers, international organisations and civil society to accelerate implementation of the “One Health” framework, which recognises the interdependence of ecosystems, animals and human populations in addressing global health risks.
The approach has gained traction in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed gaps in preparedness and underscored the need for coordinated, science-based responses and stronger prevention systems.
Discussions in Lyon focused on strengthening international coordination, mobilising public and private actors, and rethinking institutional frameworks to better embed One Health principles in policy. Key thematic areas included antimicrobial resistance, sustainable food systems, pollution exposure, and zoonotic diseases.
The summit concluded with an international political agenda targeting shared priorities across sectors, including vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, antimicrobial resistance, environmental pollution—particularly plastics—and food system sustainability.
New Caledonia’s existing policies were presented as aligned with the One Health framework, notably its public health plan “Do Kamo, être épanoui” and the Pacific “Healthy Island” concept promoted by regional health ministers.
Among concrete initiatives highlighted was the Wolbachia programme implemented in Greater Nouméa with support from the World Mosquito Program. The intervention has significantly reduced dengue transmission and delivered an estimated 8 billion francs in healthcare savings over five years.
Efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance led by the territorial hospital centre and the Institut Pasteur were also cited, alongside the “Succeed, Be Well, Be Together” (REBEE) programme developed with Didier Jourdan. The initiative focuses on strengthening children’s health literacy, social skills and environmental awareness.
Gambey said the One Health model validates the territory’s strategic direction but noted gaps in the global discussion.
“This new way of thinking about health allows us to move beyond a purely medical approach and reassures us that the path taken with the Do Kamo plan is the right one,” he said. “However, I felt that the issue of mental health was not sufficiently addressed at this summit.”
He added that recent Youth Health Barometer findings indicate mental health should be elevated as a priority in New Caledonia.
On the sidelines of the summit, New Caledonia confirmed to the World Health Organization its bid to host the next meeting of Pacific health ministers, positioning the territory as an emerging regional hub for health policy development.
