France Calls for the Creation of 'Coalitions of Action' in Global Health - Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron, at the One Health Summit taking place in Lyon, has made a compelling call for the creation of 'coalitions of action' in the realm of global health. This statement was made in the context of the urgent need to respond to contemporary challenges facing the international order, particularly health-related issues that require synchronized efforts from various countries and organizations.

"We created these summits to respond to the fractures in the international order. Recall that the first One Planet Summit was organized when the United States had already announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. At that time, we said - let’s try to create coalitions of participants to save the climate agreement. The idea is to gather countries, scientists, businesses, financial institutions, and civil society to form coalitions capable of acting," Macron emphasized.

He highlighted that this approach has already proven effective. Through previous initiatives, more than 50 coalitions have been formed, uniting around 140 countries and thousands of researchers, while mobilizing over $2 billion in investments. This demonstrates that international cooperation can yield positive results in addressing the complex problems humanity faces.

Macron also pointed out that modern challenges, such as wars, geopolitical divisions, and a decline in international coordination, complicate responses to global threats, particularly in health. In this context, the One Health Summit aims to promote a series of specific areas of cooperation that could significantly impact the improvement of the global situation.

"Firstly, we are launching an international pact to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics with commitments to reduce their improper use and ensure equitable access. Secondly, we support the integration of health issues into climate negotiations. Thirdly, we are creating a mechanism for the consolidation and analysis of data on human, animal, and environmental health," the French president added.

Additionally, summit participants plan to expand the international coalition to prevent the emergence of new pandemics (PREZODE), which involves the development of epidemiological monitoring networks and the implementation of joint research projects. This is a crucial step towards enhancing preparedness for potential health threats.

Macron also stressed that France will defend a scientific multilateral approach in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), underscoring the importance of international cooperation in this field.

The One Health Summit, taking place in Lyon from April 5 to 7, is one of the flagship events of France’s G7 presidency. This summit is dedicated to the One Health approach - the idea that the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment are closely interconnected and cannot be considered separately. Over 20 heads of state and government are participating in the summit, with President Macron co-chairing alongside Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama. Leaders of international organizations, including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, are also in attendance.

Lyon, known as the 'capital of global health', is home to institutions such as the WHO Academy and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The summit coincides with World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, highlighting its significance in a global context.

It is worth noting that in March, Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Kirno confirmed that the country has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, in January 2026, the United States completed its withdrawal process from the WHO, raising questions about the future of international cooperation in health.

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