Regional Workshop in Tunis : Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface (SPI) for the effective implementation of the "One Health" approach in North Africa
From May 5 to7, 2026, Tunis hosted a regional workshop dedicated to Strengthening the SPI in support of implementing the "One Health" approach in North Africa.
Organized by the WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health), the event brought together representatives from the human health, animal health, and environmental sectors from six countries in the region: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia..
Led by Phylum, with the participation of Dr François Gary and Pr Hichem Bouzghaia, the workshop reviewed methodologies aimed at strengthening national science-policy interface mechanisms in each country. The discussions fostered structured dialogue among scientists, public decision-makers, and technical experts, as well as exchanges of experience on shared challenges such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety.
Structured around three transformation pillars — governance and financing, institutional development and sectoral integration, and the production and use of scientific data — the workshop also supported the co-development of action plans tailored to national priorities.
This initiative is fully aligned with the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action 2022–2026, bringing together WHO (World Health Organization), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), and WOAH.
As the first regional workshop of its kind, this meeting marks an important step toward establishing a sustainable cooperation framework in North Africa. Its objective is to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, improve the coherence of public policies, and support more resilient and sustainable “One Health” governance systems.
🎤A word from François ?
