The mission of the ICOPHAI consortium is to accelerate the global capacity and knowledge sharing to effectively reduce the burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases, environmental hazards, and their risk factors using the “One Health” platform. ICOPHAI aims to strengthen leadership to integrate professionals from different areas and regions. The "One Health" concept is increasingly embraced by the WHO, FAO, OIE and regional academic, research, regulatory and policy-making bodies. This holistic view of health allows implementation of sustainable programs for betterment of public health. The ICOPHAI Congress focuses on interdisciplinary knowledge-sharing platforms to address research, capacity building and policy developments that ensure and promote safety of food and water; prevention of vectors, and mitigation of environmental hazards. It promotes the positive benefits of international trade, tourism, other livelihood and economic benefits.

The Veterinary Public Health and Biotechnology (VPH-Biotec) Global Consortium launched the International Congress on Pathogens at the Human-Animal Interface (ICOPHAI) in order to address important challenges and needs for capacity building. Details on outcome and recommendations can be found on our recent article published on PLoS NTD. The inaugural ICOPHAI congress was held at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2011, followed by the 2nd in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil (2013), 3rd in Chiang-Mai, Thailand (2015) and 4th in Doha, Qatar (2017). We look forward for the most successful 5th ICOPHAI in 2019 in Quebec, Canada.