Edinburgh to host World One Health Congress
Edinburgh secures prestigious "World One Health Congress" in 2020, following a competitive bid process.
Scotland’s capital will host the esteemed "6th World One Health Congress" in 2020, following a successful competitive bid process against other European cities. The Congress will take place on 15-18 June 2020 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).
The event, which will deliver £3.3m into the local economy, reinforces Edinburgh’s position as one of the world’s leading hubs for medical and health expertise.
One Health is an international movement that aims to attain optimal health and well-being for people, domestic animals, wildlife and the environment, by bringing together various disciplines to make a difference to society and the lives of people. One Health aims to enhance understanding of and preparedness for current and future outbreaks of infectious diseases in humans and animals, including the ecological and environmental factors which impact on these diseases.
Over 2,000 participants will attend the event, presenting the opportunity to showcase Scotland’s sector expertise and resource to a worldwide audience. Scotland's strong Higher Education sector continues to deliver world class research, which is helping to deliver solutions to global challenges within livestock industries and both veterinary and human medicine.
Professor Anna Meredith and Dr Neil Anderson of the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute were key members of the bid team.
We are thrilled to host the Sixth World One Health Congress in Edinburgh in 2020, welcoming international health scientists and professionals, opinion leaders and policy makers from the One Health community to Scotland’s capital. As a global facing university, we have vibrant One Health and global health partnerships nationally and internationally, and we look forward to showcasing the work of Scotland’s world-leading collective of research institutes, and engaging with other stakeholders to improve the health of people, animals and the environment.
The implementation of One Health requires a paradigm shift in how we manage the health of people, animals, plants and the ecosystems which support them. The conference will provide an ideal platform to discuss the practical implementation of One Health across the research, policy and practice arenas.
In addition, Scotland's community of professionals will connect with leading industry experts from across the world, fostering a collaborative and global approach to research, learning, innovation and investment.
The Scottish Government, who supported Convention Edinburgh on the bid, is at the forefront in developing integrated policies spanning health, agriculture, food, and environment.
Scotland and Edinburgh have a longstanding track record for excellence and innovation in research and development on animal and human health and well-being. Hosting the 6th World One Health Congress in 2020 will help further our reputation as a global leader in medicine, animal health, technology and the life sciences and will put Scotland and Edinburgh firmly at the heart of policy and research development in this key issue.
The One Health Platform is very much looking forward to working together with Scotland's research institutes, the Scottish government, the EICC and Marketing Edinburgh on making the 6th World One Health Congress a big success.
We went head-to-head with a number of other major European cities to win the conference for Edinburgh, with the reputation of Scotland's capital as a centre for excellence in life sciences, and our city’s collaborative approach, helping to secure the bid.
Life Sciences is one of the critical fields involved with One Health and Edinburgh’s vibrant Life Sciences sector is showcased in the Make it Edinburgh campaign, which celebrates and promotes Edinburgh’s strongest sectors in the business tourism industry. These can be seen here.