Event Date:

Feb 20, 2025 - Feb 20, 2025

Host:

Global Health Centre's International Geneva Global Health Platform, the Global Climate & Health Alliance, and the World Health Organization

Location:

Geneva Graduate Institute and Online
“Health at the Heart of Climate Action: Turning Frameworks into Reality” will serve as the first occasion of the year to take stock of the crucial initiatives on health and climate change adopted at COP29 and pave the road towards COP30.

 

Climate change has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a top global health priority. WHO’s latest General Programme of Work places climate change as its foremost priority, emphasizing the urgent need to address its significant impacts on health. In May 2024, the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) mandated WHO to develop a Global Plan of Action on Climate Change and Health, to be presented for adoption at the 78th WHA in May 2025. This reflects growing global consensus on the need for decisive action at the intersection of climate and health.

 
In November 2024, at COP29 in Baku, the COP Presidencies Continuity Coalition for Climate and Health was formed by five COP host countries and WHO to prioritize health in the global climate agenda and unify related initiatives. As frameworks develop, focus must shift to tangible implementation. Key questions arise: Are existing mechanisms sufficient? How will the Global Plan of Action shape efforts? What are the next steps, and how do we sustain political momentum?

 
This event will bring together experts from government, international organizations, and civil society to address these questions. Through dialogue, we aim to identify actionable steps to keep health central to the global climate response.

 

Speakers

Opening Remarks by Vinh-Kim Nguyen | Co-Director, Global Health Centre and Professor, Anthropology and Sociology, Geneva Graduate Institute

 

  • Maria Neira | Director, Department of Environmental, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Rosie Tasker | Clean Air Liaison, Global Climate and Health Alliance
  • Gustavo dos Santos Souza | Acting Coordinator, General Coordination of Climate Change and Health Equity, Ministry of Health of Brazil
  • Astrid Dunselman | Coordinating Policy Officer, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Kingdom of the Netherlands

Moderated by Daniela Morich | Senior Manager and Advisor, Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute

 

The hybrid event will be co-hosted by The Global Health Centre’s International Geneva Global Health Platform, the Global Climate & Health Alliance, and WHO, and will take place on 20 February 2025 at 12:30-14:00 CET. The panel discussion will take place in Auditorium A1B, Geneva Graduate Institute, Maison de la Paix and online.

Learn more and register