In brief
On One Health Day, Riyadh‑based Weqaa revealed a new prevention and response system that tackles zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance and food safety. The initiative, rooted in Saudi Vision 2030, integrates plant, animal and public health measures through an early‑warning and vector‑control framework. The effort aims to strengthen multidisciplinary cooperation and raise awareness among stakeholders across the kingdom.
In Riyadh on One Health Day, November 3, 2026, Saudi Arabia’s National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases—Weqaa—announced a new prevention and health risk response system built around the One Health concept. The launch, a key component of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 sustainability agenda, targets the prevention of zoonotic diseases, the containment of antimicrobial resistance and the strengthening of food safety.
The One Health approach, which Weqaa describes as an integrated method that links human, animal and plant health with environmental stewardship, is intended to safeguard public health while supporting food security and sustainable agriculture. By coordinating actions across sectors, the system seeks to reduce the risk of shared disease threats that can move from livestock or wildlife to humans and from contaminated crops to consumers.
Weqaa’s new platform combines an early‑warning surveillance network with proactive disease‑control programs. The framework includes routine monitoring of animal populations for emerging pathogens, routine insect‑vector surveillance in livestock farms, and a mechanism for rapid field response when a potential outbreak is detected. The system also incorporates laboratory diagnostics, data sharing, and risk‑assessment models that feed into a national decision‑support tool.
The launch coincides with the creation of a One Health Technical Committee, chaired by Weqaa. The committee brings together representatives from veterinary, medical, plant‑health, and environmental ministries, as well as academic and industry experts. The committee’s mandate is to oversee the integrated system, promote cross‑sector cooperation, and facilitate the exchange of expertise across disciplines.
To increase the system’s reach, Weqaa is actively raising awareness among farmers, livestock breeders, medical practitioners and community members. The center is conducting outreach workshops, training programs and media campaigns to encourage the adoption of preventive practices. These efforts are designed to create a culture of vigilance that will help health workers and producers identify early signs of disease and act swiftly.
In terms of antimicrobial resistance, the platform tracks antibiotic usage patterns in animals and hospitals. The data is used to identify high‑risk practices and to promote judicious use of antimicrobials across the food chain. By linking veterinary and human medical data, the system hopes to interrupt the transmission of resistant microbes between animals, food and people.
Food safety is addressed through coordinated inspections of meat, dairy, and produce, drawing on both laboratory testing and field observations. The integrated system creates a feedback loop that guides policy makers on where to focus resources—whether on improving hygiene in slaughterhouses, controlling pests on farms, or regulating the movement of animals across borders.
Weqaa stresses that the new One Health system is a strategic element in the kingdom’s broader Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and secure the environmental and social well‑being of Saudi citizens. By embedding health risk management into agricultural and food‑security policies, the initiative seeks to preserve natural resources, promote sustainable farming practices, and protect the long‑term livelihoods of farmers.
While the system is now operational, Weqaa notes that further development will involve expanding the surveillance network, improving data analytics, and strengthening international collaboration on shared health threats. By establishing a robust, multidisciplinary platform, the center aims to set a national example for the global One Health movement aimed at building resilient ecosystems.
