Health minister: Climate change poses serious healthcare risks

The consequences of climate change are already being felt across the globe, posing risks not only to public wellbeing but also to the resilience of healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Health, Teymur Musaev, made this statement during a high-level ministerial meeting on healthcare at COP29 in Baku, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"Today, we are taking an important step in our collective efforts to address these challenges," he said.

Musaev emphasised the importance of keeping climate change and health at the forefront of the global agenda, working alongside the World Health Organization.

He also announced the formation of a coalition to ensure continuity in the COP presidency on climate and health, which will be coordinated by Azerbaijan in partnership with the United Kingdom, Egypt, the UAE, and Brazil.

"This initiative is founded on the belief that continuity is essential for achieving meaningful change," Musaev noted.

He highlighted that every country present at the meeting has made substantial efforts to recognise the health aspects of climate action. Looking ahead, he said, the COP Presidency Continuity Coalition would ensure that these efforts continue, evolve, and yield tangible results.

Musaev referred to previous initiatives, such as COP26’s Alliance for Transformation, the Climate and Health Action at COP27, and the COP28 principles for financing climate and health solutions, which have laid a solid foundation.

"But we must do more," he stressed.

The new coalition, according to Musaev, will enhance ambitions and facilitate transformative changes in healthcare and climate action.

"It will serve as a platform for dialogue with stakeholders from all sectors of society. Additionally, we must ensure the fulfilment of promised climate finance, including for health-related efforts," he said.

The Minister added that the Coalition for Continuity would encourage financial service providers to fulfil their commitments and assess progress during annual meetings.

During COP29, a letter of intent will be signed to establish a permanent Baku Coalition of Co-Chairs on Climate and Health, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen global collaboration on these critical issues.

Musaev further confirmed that the coalition would be led by Azerbaijan, the United Nations, Egypt, the UAE, and Brazil.

"This platform will allow us to build on the efforts made so far and provide the necessary support for existing initiatives in this area," he concluded.

By Aghakazim Guliyev