Emmanuel Macron has warned that ongoing wars, geopolitical divisions, and declining trust in international institutions are fracturing global cooperation on health, stressing that the world risks being unprepared for future crises if collaboration continues to weaken.
Speaking on Tuesday at the One Health Summit held in Lyon, the French president expressed concern over what he described as a deteriorating international environment that threatens progress in global health initiatives.
Macron said the current international climate, shaped by conflicts, political disagreements, and growing skepticism toward multilateral organizations, is undermining cooperation at a time when unity is most needed. He emphasized that global health challenges, including pandemics, supply chain disruptions, and environmental risks, require coordinated responses among nations.
“We are facing an international situation that is fracturing this very cooperation: wars, divisions, declining contributions, and doubts expressed by some about our collective organization,” Macron said during his address to global leaders, scientists, and health experts attending the summit.
The French president highlighted how ongoing conflicts around the world are disrupting supply chains, affecting access to medicines and medical equipment, and creating new risks for global health security. According to Macron, these disruptions not only threaten vulnerable populations but also weaken preparedness for future health emergencies.
He explained that wars and geopolitical tensions have also affected strategic autonomy, making countries more dependent on fragile supply networks. Macron warned that without strong international collaboration, nations could struggle to respond effectively to future pandemics or emerging diseases.
“Challenges posed by global health more than ever require coordination and cooperation,” Macron stressed, adding that fragmentation of the international order is creating new vulnerabilities that could undermine decades of progress in healthcare systems worldwide.
The French leader noted that gatherings like the One Health Summit are increasingly necessary in today’s fragmented global environment. He said such meetings provide an opportunity for governments, scientists, and organizations to build coalitions and reaffirm the importance of collective action.
According to Macron, the summit aims to respond directly to the fragmentation of global governance structures. He added that it also seeks to demonstrate that effective multilateralism remains possible, despite increasing political tensions among nations.
“We are here to build coalitions of stakeholders and demonstrate that effective multilateralism is still possible,” Macron stated, emphasizing that shared global challenges require joint solutions.
A key point in Macron’s speech was the importance of protecting scientific independence. He warned that progress in global health would be severely undermined if scientific research becomes politicized or influenced by government agendas.
“We have reaffirmed – and we reaffirm for this One Health Summit – first and foremost, that any progress depends on free, open, and independent science. It is an absolute necessity,” he said.
Macron cautioned against governments attempting to dictate what scientists can or cannot study, arguing that political interference in research could weaken global preparedness for future health emergencies. He stressed that scientific freedom is essential for developing vaccines, treatments, and early warning systems for emerging diseases.
“Global health will not advance if science becomes an instrument of politics,” Macron warned. “It cannot become a tool where governments decide what is researched and what is not.”
The French president also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to international health cooperation. He pledged that France would continue supporting the World Health Organization and other global institutions working to strengthen health systems worldwide.
“Let me reaffirm that France will stand alongside the World Health Organization, alongside all the international organizations present, to defend effective multilateralism – a rigorous vision grounded in science and the collective decisions we must make,” Macron said.
His remarks come at a time when global health cooperation has faced multiple challenges, including funding shortfalls, disagreements over vaccine distribution, and political tensions affecting international partnerships. Experts have warned that weakened collaboration could increase the risk of delayed responses to future pandemics.
Macron also urged the international community not to forget lessons learned from past global health crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in global preparedness and coordination.
He stressed that the world must remain vigilant and proactive in preparing for future challenges, warning that complacency could lead to devastating consequences.
“The world does not have the right to forget what happened in the past,” Macron said. “We have a duty to prepare for the challenges of today and tomorrow. It is up to us to act.”
The One Health Summit, which brings together policymakers, health professionals, and scientific experts, focuses on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The approach emphasizes that global health threats often arise from interactions between ecosystems, animals, and human populations.
Participants at the summit discussed issues such as pandemic preparedness, climate change impacts on health, antimicrobial resistance, and improving international coordination during emergencies.
Macron’s address set the tone for the summit, highlighting the urgent need for renewed cooperation in an increasingly divided world. Observers noted that his warning reflects broader concerns among global leaders about the erosion of multilateralism and its potential impact on health security.
As geopolitical tensions continue and conflicts persist in various regions, the French president’s message underscored the importance of unity in addressing shared challenges. He emphasized that global health security depends on cooperation, scientific integrity, and sustained commitment from governments and international organizations.
With future health crises considered inevitable by many experts, Macron’s call for stronger collaboration and independent science highlighted the urgency of rebuilding trust and reinforcing international partnerships.
The summit is expected to produce recommendations aimed at strengthening global health governance and promoting coordinated action among countries, organizations, and scientific institutions.
Macron concluded his remarks by urging leaders to move beyond divisions and focus on shared responsibilities, emphasizing that global health challenges can only be addressed through collective action and sustained international cooperation.
