From 11 to 22 November 2024, world leaders will come together at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in Baku, Azerbaijan to measure progress and negotiate the best ways to address climate change. With increasingly intense and frequent extreme weather events, temperatures hitting record highs, and alarming rising sea levels, COP29 will aim to continue lifting the political profile of the climate-health nexus, and mainstreaming health in the global climate change agenda.
Key events held at the Health Pavilion with representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region at COP29 will be streamed online including events with Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific: COP29 Health Pavilion.
Enhancing climate and health action in Pacific island countries and territories
Friday 15 November, 16:00-16:50 AZT/UTC+4, Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion
The event will feature WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Director General Mr Sefanaia Nawadra, alongside ministers, youth representatives, and others from Pacific islands. They will discuss the Pacific nations’ unique vulnerabilities to climate change and its impacts on health, as well as innovative solutions and ways to amplify youth voices to address these pressing challenges. This event will not be livestreamed.
Climate resilience in cities: Building regional and community resilience
Saturday 16 November, 14:00-15:00 AZT/UTC+4, Health Pavilion
Putting a spotlight on efforts by WHO in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions to protect health in cities, this event will discuss climate resilience in cities as urban areas face increasing climate change impacts. Building resilience involves infrastructure adaptation, social systems, governance, and health considerations. Regional cooperation allows cities to share knowledge and resources, benefiting from collective efforts in projects like watershed management and coastal protection. By integrating these elements, cities can better withstand and recover from climate impacts, ensuring a healthier, more sustainable future for residents.
Building climate-resilient health systems in Small Island Developing States
Saturday 16 November, 15:30-16:30 AZT/UTC+4, Health Pavilion
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are inherently and uniquely vulnerable to exogenous shocks owing to their small size, geographical remoteness, highly dispersed populations, the limited scale and undiversified nature of their economies, high dependence on external markets, extreme exposure to disasters and natural hazards, and the effects of climate change. The event will highlight WHO’s work in the Western Pacific and the Americas to strengthen health system resilience in the face of climate change in line with the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States.
Building resilience to heat extremes in urban settings
Monday 18 November, 12:00-13:00 AZT/UTC+4, Health Pavilion
This event aims to elevate heat-related health issues as a priority within the climate and health agenda by fostering partnerships and learning from local and national initiatives. First-hand insights from policymakers and experts will explore effective practices, regional commitments, and collaboration opportunities, and emphasize the need for a strong health voice in climate discussions. The event also seeks to deepen understanding of complex climate-health linkages and drive heat-health policies and actions at all governance levels for a resilient and health-focused climate response.
High-level roundtable on climate and health
Monday 18 November, 14:00-15:00 AZT/UTC+4, Health Pavilion
In this event, a Letter of Intent will be signed establishing the Baku COP Presidencies Continuity Coalition for Climate and Health, co-led by Azerbaijan, Brazil, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, in partnership with WHO. This coalition will strengthen partnerships, scale up innovative climate-health financing, and operationalize solutions to enhance health resilience in the face of climate change. The event will also mark the launch of the “Baku Principles of Human Development for Climate Resilience,” including the formalization of the Health Impact Investment Platform.
Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health
Tuesday 19 November, 9:00-18:00 AZT/UTC+4, Health Pavilion
The (Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) will host a full day of events at COP29. As of September 2024, 85 countries have joined ATACH at the Minister of Health level. They have committed to building climate-resilient, low carbon, sustainable health systems and other priorities on climate change and health. WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala will be among the high-level delegates participating in this event.