Azerbaijan hosts ATACH Day at COP29, urges global climate, health action PHOTO

The 29th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) hosted a dedicated ATACH Day (Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health), highlighting the interconnectedness of climate change and health.

Speaking at the event, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Health, Teymur Musayev, stressed the urgent need to address climate change, describing it as a global challenge and a tangible threat to humanity, Caliber.Az reports.

"What once seemed like a distant future concern is now knocking on our door," he remarked. "Droughts, water shortages, extreme heat, and rising sea levels are forcing people to leave their homes."

The minister emphasised that while economic losses from climate change are significant and somewhat reversible, the loss of health and life is not. “The impact on health is one of the earliest and most immediate consequences of climate change that we are witnessing today. This highlights the fact that any discussion about climate change would be incomplete without considering its effects on health.”

Thus, ATACH and will co-chair the Alliance for the 2024-2026 term. Musayev described ATACH as a key global platform for national and international collaboration on climate and health issues.

"ATACH builds on the achievements of COP26’s Health Programme and subsequent initiatives, such as the Sharm el-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda (COP27), the COP28 Health Declaration, and the Climate and Health Resolution adopted at the 77th World Health Assembly," he explained.

As the host of COP29, Azerbaijan is committed to transitioning to green energy. Musayev stated: "Financing for climate mitigation, including health-related impacts, remains a cornerstone of COP29 discussions. We believe that funding for climate and health agendas should be elevated, engaging all relevant stakeholders."

Currently, ATACH encompasses over 90 countries and territories, as well as more than 70 partners, all working towards a shared mission. “The Alliance serves as a vital global mechanism to drive climate and health action, including building climate-resilient, low-carbon healthcare systems. As a co-chair of ATACH, Azerbaijan is dedicated to collaborating with past and future COP chairs, as well as all ATACH members, to advance global action through the Alliance. We invite all COP29 participating countries to join ATACH, thereby contributing to and benefiting from collective efforts to protect and enhance health through climate action,” Musayev concluded.

Other speakers at the event included Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific; Gerard Howe, Head of the Adaptation, Nature and Resilience Department at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); Ethel Maciel, Secretary of Health Surveillance at Brazil’s Ministry of Health; and Dr Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, Assistant Minister for Institutional Reforms at Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population.

They highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, including the spread of dangerous diseases, the strain on healthcare systems, and the financial instability it causes. Vulnerable populations bear the brunt of such crises.

The speakers also called on the global community to use the opportunities arising from collective climate action to foster innovation, technology, and research.

"These measures," they noted, "will pave the way for a healthier future and more resilient systems."

By Aghakazim Guliyev