In a resounding call to action, the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly has recognized climate change as an imminent threat to global health, passing a resolution which underscores the urgent need for decisive measures to confront the profound health risks posed by climate change.

The resolution, supported overwhelmingly by Member States, presents an overview of the existential threat that climate change poses to human health. The Health Assembly asserts that radical action is imperative to safeguard the health of the planet, underscoring the interdependence of environmental sustainability and public health.

Urging the global health community to mobilize on an unprecedented scale, the Health Assembly calls for the amplification and expansion of existing efforts to combat climate change within its core functions. This includes prioritizing health considerations in national and international climate policy frameworks, as well as supporting countries in building climate resilient and low carbon health systems.

By strengthening capacity building and providing technical support to national health ministries, the actions agreed at the Health Assembly will empower countries to implement robust climate-resilient health initiatives tailored to their unique circumstances, and to guide cross-sectoral actions that both promote health, and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The resolution marks a key moment in the fight against climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to protect both human health and the planet.

WHO is committed to continuing to lead the global health response to climate change. The Organization plans to scale up its efforts in supporting Member States through leadership, raising awareness, providing technical support and building capacity. Key initiatives include presenting health as a central concern in climate policies, advancing evidence-based strategies, and mobilizing support for health and climate action in countries.