ACEWM Convenes High-Level Consultative Meeting on Strengthening Multisectoral Data Sharing for One Health

Addis Ababa, December 18, 2025 The Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWM) successfully organized a high-level consultative meeting titled “Strengthening Multisectoral Data Sharing for One Health” on December 18, 2025. The meeting brought together key stakeholders from health, agriculture, and environmental sectors to advance collaborative data-sharing mechanisms essential for the effective implementation of the One Health approach.

The consultative meeting aimed to enhance coordination and integration of data across sectors that influence human, animal, and environmental health. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Authority, reflecting the multisectoral nature of the One Health framework.

The Director of ACEWM, Prof. Feleke Zewge, officially opened the meeting and delivered a comprehensive presentation on the NORHED II project. He highlighted the project’s objectives, strategic focus areas, and its role in strengthening institutional capacity, research, and policy-relevant knowledge generation in water management and One Health domains.

A key technical session was led by Dr. Birhanu Yitayew, Postdoctoral Researcher at ACEWM. His presentation addressed:

• Current One Health data-sharing practices and challenges,
• Critical data needs for effective implementation of the NORHED II project, and
• The development of an Integrated One Health Knowledge Management System (OH-KMS) aimed at improving data interoperability, accessibility, and evidence-based decision-making.

Dr. Birhanu emphasized the importance of harmonized data systems to overcome fragmentation and ensure timely, reliable information flow among One Health sectors.

Representatives from participating institutions shared insights on existing data-sharing practices within their respective sectors. The discussions highlighted both progress made and persistent challenges, including data silos, policy gaps, and technical limitations. The dialogue underscored the need for coordinated frameworks and institutional commitment to enable sustainable data integration.

As a major outcome of the meeting, a Technical Working Group (TWG) comprising eight members was formally established. The TWG is mandated to guide the technical development, coordination, and implementation of the One Health data-sharing initiative and the proposed OH-KMS.

To maintain momentum and ensure tangible results, a structured way forward was proposed. This includes refining meeting outputs, strengthening inter-institutional collaboration, and transitioning the foundational framework toward practical implementation. The agreed roadmap sets the stage for sustained engagement and operationalization of integrated One Health data systems.

The consultative meeting marked a significant milestone in strengthening multisectoral collaboration for One Health in Ethiopia, reinforcing ACEWM’s leadership role in fostering evidence-based, integrated solutions for complex health and environmental challenges.