In 2015, in response to a global call to action for rabies elimination, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO), along with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), came together to establish the United Against Rabies Collaboration. Soon after, they created a comprehensive global strategy to eliminate rabies – Zero by 30: The Global Strategic Plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. This plan put countries at its centre, with renewed international support and global commitment.

In September 2020, to mark the progression from phase 1 of the Global Strategic Plan to phase 2, the United Against Rabies Forum was established, to expand the United Against Rabies Collaboration and create a more inclusive network of State and non-State actors who share a common vision for rabies elimination and wish to work together to achieve it. The purpose of the United Against Rabies Forum is to provide a mechanism for implementing the objectives of the Global Strategic Plan, while enabling participants to benefit from the sharing of knowledge, experience, ideas and information.

The Tripartite (FAO, OIE and WHO) will provide leadership and support the Forum to create an enabling environment for rabies elimination that will allow participants and countries to focus on activities that efficiently contribute to the Global Strategic Plan. Working Groups of Forum members will be formed to identify and progress priority action areas, reporting back to the wider membership via the Steering Group, with the Tripartite providing strategic direction. The combined efforts, political will and commitment of Forum members, together with the resources they provide, will help rabies elimination become a reality by 2030.