At COP28, PAHO Assistant Director calls for regional solidarity to address health impacts of “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution – PAHO/WHO

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 4, 2023 (PAHO) – The Deputy Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, urged the countries of the Americas to ensure that the impacts of the climate change on health. on board as they continue to rebuild and strengthen health systems following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at Health and Climate Change in the Americas: Protecting People’s Health in the Climate Crisis, a high-level event held on the sidelines of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, Dr Sealey-Thomas highlighted that, in the Americas, the effects of climate change “are amplified by deficiencies in health infrastructure and systems to promote health, prevent disease and respond effectively to crises, disasters and emergencies.”

Climate change not only exacerbates existing health threats, but also has a disproportionate impact on communities in vulnerable situations, as well as those living on the front lines of climate change, including small island states in the Caribbean.

The Deputy Director highlighted PAHO’s work to support countries in the Americas to develop climate-resilient health systems, including by strengthening health surveillance systems and creating Climate and Health Observatories and Alert Systems. Early Climate Health Program, but urged Member States to strengthen their actions to “better protect our health, that of future generations and the health of our planet.” The importance of this work was highlighted by several PAHO Member States during discussions at COP28.

During COP28, PAHO representatives also met with Ms. Afke Van Rijn, Director General of Environment and International Affairs of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Government of the Netherlands to discuss the CFIT Pact, a partnership international that aims to accelerate sustainable development. production and use of information technology products. This would allow the Organization to help reduce its carbon footprint when it comes to supporting the strengthening of health infrastructure and the digitalization of health systems.

COP28 takes place from November 30 to December 12 and brings together the world’s countries at a critical moment for transformative climate action, the midway point towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the SDG 13: limit and adapt to the climate. climate change, as well as SDG 3, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, which is intrinsically linked to climate.

On December 3, for the first time in the history of the COP, a Health Day was held dedicated to discussing the interrelationship between climate change and health. During this day, the World Health Organization (WHO) led more than 40 million health professionals in demanding Bold action on health and climate..