This article was originally published by the World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Technical Meeting on Climate Change and Health is being hosted in Timor-Leste from 25–28 February 2025. This high-level gathering brings together delegates from 10 WHO South-East Asia Member States, experts from WHO headquarters and regional offices, as well as representatives from donor agencies and collaborative partners.

The meeting was officially inaugurated today in Dili by H.E. Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Prime Minister, Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs, and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing.

“Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a health crisis. For a Small Island Nation such as Timor-Leste, climate change is not just a challenge but an existential threat and an everyday reality,” said the Vice Prime Minister in his inaugural address. “Urgent actions are needed to promote health and build a more climate-resilient, environmentally sustainable, and low-carbon health system.”

Vice-Minister for Hospital Operationalization, Dr. Flávio Brandão, expressed his appreciation to the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office for hosting this important meeting in Timor-Leste. “This meeting comes at a crucial time as a platform to share knowledge, learn from one another, build capacities around the tools required for mobilizing technical, financial, and human resources in a coordinated manner,” he said.

Climate change remains one of the most pressing global health threats, exacerbating existing inequalities and vulnerabilities. The health sector itself is responsible for nearly 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable, climate-resilient health systems.

“In the WHO South-East Asia Region, eight countries have already committed to building climate-resilient and low-carbon sustainable health systems under the COP26 Health Programme. Many countries in our region are also actively developing proposals for submission to UNFCCC funding mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund,” said  Ms. Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, in a video message during the inaugural event

The Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), a WHO-led initiative, plays a central role in these discussions. ATACH serves as a voluntary global platform for countries and stakeholders to share knowledge, enhance technical cooperation, and accelerate action toward climate-resilient and sustainable health systems. This initiative was launched in response to commitments made at COP26, emphasizing the integration of climate and health priorities into national, regional, and global policies.

As a Small Island Developing State, Timor-Leste is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The country faces rising sea levels, extreme weather events, saline intrusion, and biodiversity loss—threats that directly impact public health. These conditions exacerbate malnutrition, water scarcity, air pollution, and the spread of vector-borne diseases, particularly among marginalized and vulnerable populations.

“Climate finance is essential to protecting public health, building climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems, and promoting healthy mitigation. Yet, the health sector faces several barriers to accessing climate finance, including a lack of information on available funding opportunities,” said Dr. Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste.

The Regional Technical Meeting provides a vital opportunity for delegates to discuss strategies to access international climate funds and implement adaptation and mitigation measures within the health sector. The discussions will also contribute to shaping the health action agenda for the upcoming COP30.

“The meeting will facilitate streamlining of financial resources for health and climate change and to strengthen the capacity of countries to access international funds that allow for the implementation of health adaptation and mitigation actions.” Said Mr Hussain Rasheed Director, Department of Healthier Population and NCDs, WHO SEARO

As the first technical meeting on climate change and health hosted in Timor-Leste, this gathering provides a significant platform for the Government and the Ministry of Health to reaffirm their commitment to addressing climate-related health challenges at the regional level.

“WHO, through its Country Office and Regional Office, remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting countries in the South-East Asia Region. By bringing together stakeholders and working collectively, we can strengthen resilience, protect health, and secure sustainable development for future generations,” said Dr. Arvind Mathur.