Cities matter in One Health: From Lyon to Geneva

In April 2026, France hosted the One Health Summit in Lyon under its G7 Presidency, with the high-level Summit taking place on 7 April, coinciding with World Health Day. The Summit brought together heads of state and government, international organizations, scientists, civil society, the private sector, local authorities and youth to advance implementation of the One Health approach.

On 6 April, the International Forum of Local Leaders on One Health, co-convened by the City of Lyon and the World Health Organization (WHO), brought together approximately 50 mayors and senior local officials from five continents. During the forum, the Mayor of Lyon (FR) and Akonolinga (CA) shared a common initiative: the launch of the One Health Cities Alliance, an international coalition of cities committed to advancing One Health at the local level.

The Alliance builds on the EU-funded URBACT One Health 4 Cities programme, led by the City of Lyon. Over approximately 30 months, a network of nine European cities explored how to integrate One Health into local policies and projects, generating practical experience, tools and a methodological guide for local decision-makers.

The Alliance vision is to build on these foundations and, over time, extend cooperation beyond Europe by enabling cities from different regions to exchange experience, learn from one another and explore practical responses to shared challenges.

From Lyon, where it was born, to Geneva, where local and global health naturally meet, the Alliance continues its journey. Born in Lyon, the Alliance now finds in Geneva a natural meeting point between the experience of cities and the wider international health community. After Lyon, Geneva offers the Alliance a fitting next step: a city where local engagement and international cooperation have long gone hand in hand.

The Geneva meeting will be the first mobilization opportunity since the Alliance’s launch in Lyon, bringing together the Mayors of Lyon and Geneva, local stakeholders and interested international partners. Taking place on the occasion of the Geneva Health Forum Conference 2026, the event will help sustain the momentum generated in Lyon and initiate a dialogue on future priorities and opportunities for collaboration.

Building on the confirmed participation of the Mayors of Lyon and Geneva (and probably an invited mayor from the south), the meeting will connect municipal experience with the expertise of international organizations, NGOs and potential partners based in International Geneva. It will reinforce a key message: cities are not only implementers of global health commitments, but essential partners in shaping them.