EDINBURGH has won the right to host a prestigious world health conference in 2020, after triumphing over other European cities in a competitive bid process.

Those behind the successful pitch say the Sixth World One Health Congress will deliver £3.3 million into the local economy, reinforce Edinburgh’s position as one of the world’s leading hubs for medical and health expertise and is a momentous win for Convention Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), and the city’s medical and veterinary community and Scotland as a whole.

One Health is an international movement that aims to attain optimal health and wellbeing for people, domestic animals, wildlife and the environment by bringing together various disciplines to make a difference to society and the lives of people.

It aims to enhance understanding of and readiness for outbreaks of infectious diseases in humans and animals, such as Ebola, including the ecological and environmental factors which impact on these diseases.

More than 2000 participants will attend the four-day event, which will be held at the EICC in June 2020, presenting the opportunity to showcase Scotland’s sector expertise and resources 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 veterinary and human medicine.

Edinburgh University’s Professor Anna Meredith and Dr Neil Anderson were key members of the bid team. Meredith, personal chair of zoological and conservation medicine, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the Sixth World One Health Congress, 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.”

Anderson, programme director MSc One Health and MVetSci Conservation at the university, added: “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.”

The head of conventions for Marketing Edinburgh, Amanda Ferguson, said: “It is an honour for Edinburgh to be confirmed as host destination for this prestigious event and we welcome the opportunity to welcome experts from across the world to enable potentially life-changing collaboration.”

The Scottish Government, who supported Convention Edinburgh on the bid, is at the forefront in developing integrated policies spanning health, agriculture, food, and environment.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland and Edinburgh have a longstanding track record for excellence and innovation in research and development on animal and human health and wellbeing. Hosting this event 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 developments.”