INTRODUCTION:
The convergence of climate change, rapid urbanization, and ecosystem degradation has significantly amplified the risk of zoonotic spillover and future pandemics. Urban centers, characterized by high population density and complex interactions between humans, animals, and the environment, are particularly vulnerable to these emerging threats. Effective pandemic prevention and preparedness (PPP) require a robust One Health governance framework that integrates environmental surveillance with public health infrastructure. However, translating political commitments into operational capabilities remains a critical challenge, compounded by a lack of standardized evaluation metrics.

METHODS:
This 60-minute session, co-organized by the One Health Working Group under the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association (CPMA), and the Brazilian Association of Collective Health (ABRASCO), addresses the urgent need to align One Health structures with the realities of climate change to enhance resilience against pandemics by bridging the gap between theory and practice. It features a keynote on One Health governance, a technical presentation on the Global One Health Index (GOHI) as an evaluation tool, and case studies illustrating implementation challenges in urban settings. The session concludes with a multidisciplinary panel discussion to synthesize these insights, featuring five world-renowned experts.

RESULTS:
The session demonstrates how integrating One Health governance theory, quantitative tools, and field evidence reveals systemic vulnerabilities. Results highlight that data-driven assessments identify specific weaknesses in preparedness, while strong governance facilitates timely interventions, in line with the Pandemic Agreement. The session demonstrates that aligning environmental health metrics with public health planning is essential for reducing the lag between detection and response in urban environments.

CONCLUSIONS:
It concludes that effective pandemic prevention demands transformative governance supported by rigorous evaluation. By aligning global frameworks with local realities, it aims to provide policymakers with a roadmap for building resilient health systems that proactively mitigate pandemic threats.