On Tuesday, the World Conference on Climate and Health started in Brasilia. This is a key event that brings together representatives from governments, international organizations, social organizations, and experts in public health and the environment for three days.
The objective is to integrate health as a central pillar in global climate action, on the path towards the upcoming COP30, which will be held in Belém do Pará, in the same country, in November.
The conference is organized by the Government of Brazil, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Alliance for Climate and Health Transformative Action (ATACH).
It aims to strengthen health adaptation policies to climate change and highlight the health benefits derived from climate action.
Health and Climate Change: An Urgent Agenda for the Region
The agenda against climate change.
The Director of PAHO, Jarbas Barbosa, opened the meeting with an urgent call to place health and equity at the center of the climate agenda.
He emphasized that countries in the Americas are facing record temperatures, disease outbreaks, and extreme weather events. Additionally, the most vulnerable populations -who contribute the least to climate change- are the most affected by its impacts.
Barbosa also highlighted the work of PAHO with Member States to strengthen health systems against climate change. This is done through national adaptation plans, improvements in health infrastructure, disease surveillance systems sensitive to climate, and prevention measures against extreme events.
To expand these efforts, he noted the critical need for international climate financing.
The Conference’s Focus and Roadmap towards COP30
This is the fifth Global Conference on Climate and Health and is structured around three thematic axes: health surveillance; evidence-based policy strategies; and training, innovation, and production.
The key topics to be addressed at the World Conference.
Throughout the event, technical sessions, roundtables, and workshops will be held addressing topics such as:
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The Child Environmental Health Index
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Effects of drought on maternal and child health in Brazil
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The right to clean air
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Climate change and health strategies in the Andean region (Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela)
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Applications of artificial intelligence for resilient health systems
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The environmental and health situation in the Amazon
The inputs and conclusions of the meeting will be included in the Belém Plan for Health Action. This is a roadmap that will serve to integrate health as a cross-cutting axis in global climate policies.
This plan will be presented at COP30, consolidating Brazil’s leadership in linking health, climate justice, and sustainability.
