There are growing efforts to prioritise health in global climate negotiations, particularly by African parties. Prior to COP28, for instance, a Regional Summit on Health and Climate Change for Africa was held in Lilongwe to discuss African position on health. Similarly, the inaugural African Climate Summit facilitated the Health Ministerial Meeting with the aim to catalyse institutionalization of health negotiation within UNFCCC at COP28 and to formulate Africa’s common position on health in climate change negotiations.
In the UN Climate Change Conference (COPs) 26, 27 and 28, we have seen more action on climate change and health, including UN High-level side events. Arguably, COP28 in UAE raised the political profile of climate-health nexus and contributed to mainstreaming health in the global climate change agenda. COP28 Presidency, World Health Organization and other partners, collaboratively organized the first ever Health Day and climate-health ministerial.
The increasing interests in international dialogue on climate-health nexus led to COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health that was endorsed by 149 countries. While is voluntary and nonbinding, the Declaration does not only reflect the common views and aspirations of the countries but also provides new impetus for mainstreaming health in climate action.
