/countries/tuvalu/f14_112019_tv_105538745-1.tmb-1200v.jpg?sfvrsn=7f086c9e_1&w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1 "Transforming Futures: WHO’s Bold Action Plan for Climate and Health in Asia and the Pacific")
The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a significant step by launching its first-ever regional strategy for climate and health action. This announcement came during the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, where health ministers and partners from 38 countries gathered. The strategy was crafted by the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health, based in Seoul, South Korea.
The Western Pacific is home to over 2.2 billion people, making it one of the most climate-vulnerable areas globally. Here, climate change impacts are evident, from rising sea levels threatening island nations to worsening air quality and extreme heat in bustling cities. Tragically, about 3.5 million people in this region die each year from environmental causes like polluted air and unsafe water. Alarmingly, outdoor air pollution claims a life every 14 seconds.
Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, emphasized the urgency of this issue. “Climate change is a health emergency unfolding in real time,” he stated. The new strategy aims to protect both people and the planet, aiming for a healthier and more sustainable future.
The Strategic Plan for the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health (2025–2030) outlines three crucial priorities:
- Climate-resilient health systems – Helping countries adapt to climate impacts while reducing emissions from the health sector.
- Healthy urban and island systems – Promoting cleaner air, safer water, and sustainable urban development.
- Sustainable food systems – Advancing nutrition and climate goals through resilient, low-emission food production.
Globally, WHO projects that climate change could lead to an additional 250,000 deaths yearly from 2030 to 2050 due to malnutrition, heat stress, and other issues, with much of this burden falling on the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr. Sandro Demaio, director of the ACE, highlighted the uniqueness of the region. “The Western Pacific holds the key to global progress on climate and health. What happens here will shape future generations,” he said. Fiji, where the strategy was launched, symbolizes the plight of Pacific nations facing rising seas.
This strategy is not just a plan; it’s a call to action to bring governments, researchers, and community partners together to tackle these pressing issues, build resilience, and accelerate climate action.
For a deeper dive into these initiatives, check the ACE Strategic Plan on the WHO website. The WHO ACE began as a collaboration between WHO, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment of South Korea, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, aiming to support integrated climate, environment, and health efforts in the region.
With climate-related health issues taking center stage, there’s an urgent need for attention and action. Addressing these challenges can pave the way for a healthier and more sustainable future, both for the region and the world.
