Global Health Leaders Convene Strategic Roundtable Ahead of COP29 to Address Climate Change

Health leaders and experts from around the world gathered for a Strategic Roundtable aimed at tackling the critical intersection of climate change and health on June 3, 2024. With the backdrop of the World Health Assembly and in anticipation of COP29, the roundtable aimed to bolster momentum and shape the global health architecture for addressing climate change.

Keynote speakers emphasized the urgency of collaborative action to mitigate the health impacts of climate change. Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of The Lancet, stressed the imperative to keep fossil fuels in the ground and invest in renewable energy sources to combat the threat multiplier of the climate crisis.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted the increasing scale, frequency, and intensity of climate-related humanitarian emergencies. He underlined the compelling argument for stronger climate action, citing the potential to save millions of lives annually and generate a significant return on investment.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, speaking via video, urged urgent action to improve global health outcomes by transitioning away from fossil fuel consumption.

Dr. Teymur Musayev, Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Azerbaijan and COP29 President, announced key upcoming health-related initiatives and called for swift global action to mitigate climate change impacts.

Hon. Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, Minister of Health and Medical Services of the Republic of Fiji, emphasized the challenges faced by small island developing states (SIDS) in building resilience against climate change and called for the mobilization of finance to support WHO's actions.

Participants engaged in fruitful discussions to outline actionable initiatives and enhance global coordination efforts. The roundtable underscored the significance of climate justice, equity, and health, with commitments from various countries and organizations to address health challenges posed by climate change.

Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), highlighted the critical role of climate services in improving public health outcomes, emphasizing the deadly impact of heat-related deaths.

Looking ahead to future COPs, including COP29 in Azerbaijan and COP30 in Brazil, participants discussed strategies for advancing the global health agenda in the face of climate change challenges.

The roundtable emphasized the response to climate change as a key strategic objective of WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work for 2025–2028. It called for adequate funding and coordinated efforts to address the complex climate and health challenges more effectively.

This gathering marked a significant step in amplifying calls for action on climate change within the global health community, reflecting the overarching theme of the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly: "All for health, health for all.”

(Source: WHO)