The One Health Youth Alliance Bangladesh (OHYAB) successfully convened its First General Meeting on 25 June 2026, officially welcoming its new cohort of members and unveiling key operational structures to drive youth-led One Health action across the country.

The virtual session, hosted by Dr. Maruf Alvy, Vice President of OHYAB, facilitated a warm introduction for all new participants. The entire Executive Board was present, demonstrating unified leadership and commitment to the organization's growing mission.

Dr. Abu Sayed, President of OHYAB, delivered a comprehensive presentation detailing the organization's journey—from its conceptualization in 2023 to its official formation in 2026. His address highlighted OHYAB's mission, vision, and three core pillars: Collaboration, Capacity Building, and Youth Advocacy. Dr. Sayed walked members through the organization's strategic objectives, including curricular integration of One Health in academic institutions, institutional advocacy with the National One Health Secretariat, and community outreach initiatives.

A major highlight of the meeting was the official introduction of three specialized Working Groups designed to channel member activities and maximize impact:

·   Community Outreach Working Group (COWG) – to translate One Health principles into practical grassroots campaigns.

·   Youth Opportunity Working Group (YOWG) – to connect members with career development, funding, and partnership opportunities.

·       Research Working Group (RWG) – to drive youth-led studies and evidence-based advocacy.

Reflecting on past achievements, Dr. Sayed noted the success of the 1st and 2nd One Health Youth Symposiums (OHYSB)—which united over 160+ delegates from 10+ universities—and the Youth AMR Country Statement, adopted and submitted to the Chief Veterinary Officer (WOAH Delegate, DLS). He also acknowledged recent international recognitions, including OHYSB's representation at the FAO-NAU Global Youth Summit 2025 in China and the Bangladesh team "OneHealthVillage" winning the SEAOHUN 2026 Regional One Health Competition.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, where newly joined members had the opportunity to clarify expectations, express their interests, and gain deeper insights into OHYAB's operational framework directly from the board members. The meeting also marked the official opening of the membership application drive, inviting passionate youth to join the platform.

"Today's meeting, enriched by our new working groups and the vibrant energy of our members, is a foundational step for OHYAB," said Dr. Abu Sayed. "With the dedicated leadership of Dr. Maruf Alvy and the support of our entire board, we are well on our way to making a tangible, cross-sectoral impact on Bangladesh's health landscape."

The meeting reaffirmed OHYAB's commitment to fostering a collaborative, multidisciplinary youth network to tackle zoonotic diseases, AMR, and climate-driven health risks in Bangladesh and beyond.

Press by: Md. Simoon Hasan

Published by: Abu Sayed

Contact for the Press: mail@ohyab.org