Climate Change and Health: A Global Vision for Joint Action | Strategic Roundtable

‘This roundtable aims to build momentum from COP28 towards COP29 to shape the global health architecture for addressing climate change. This roundtable has particular significance, given that a climate and health resolution is expected to be adopted at the World Health Assembly and that climate change is the focus of one of the six strategic objectives of WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work. Discussions will also facilitate coordination and collaboration and outline relevant initiatives.’

‘Feeding into efforts to shape the global health architecture for addressing climate change, this roundtable will help define a plan to support countries to advance implementation, including of health outcomes and commitments from UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs).

‘The roundtable also aims to increase momentum and strengthen collaboration and coordination for driving action. Attendees should gain an enhanced understanding of the high-level global vision for climate and health, as well as of relevant initiatives at a global, regional and country level.

‘Panellists will look ahead to COP29 in Azerbaijan and COP30 in Brazil, and reflect on how to build on the pioneering efforts by the UAE for COP28. Also on the agenda will be the climate and health resolution expected to be adopted at the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly and the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH).

‘This roundtable has particular significance, as the response to climate change is one of the six key strategic objectives of WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of work for the period 2025-2028. It will facilitate coordination and amplify calls for adequate funding to overcome the obstacles of fragmented funding mechanisms and siloed approaches, to address complex climate and health challenges more effectively.’

Moderator:

• Dr. Richard Horton

Panelists:

• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus — WHO Director-General
• Al Gore — Former Vice President of the United States
• Dr. Teymur Musayev — Minister of Healthcare of Azerbaijan Republic
• Ms. Nigar Arpadarai — UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 Azerbaijan (video message)
• H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama — Minister of State for AI & Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, United Arab Emirates
• Hon Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu — Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji
• Adnan Z. Amin — Chief Executive Officer, COP 28
• Hon Dra Filomena Gonçalves — Minister of Health, Cabo Verde
• Professor Celeste Saulo — Secretary General, WMO