In the three decades since the Rio Summit and the launch of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP) has convened member countries every year to determine ambition and responsibilities, and identify and assess climate measures. The 21st session of the COP (COP21) led to the Paris Agreement, which mobilized global collective action to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2100, and to act to adapt to the already existing effects of climate change. COP28 brings the world together at a critical moment for global transformative climate action.

Building Climate Resilient Health Systems through Locally-led Action

Date & Time: December 2, 2023 | 10:30 GST
Location: Resilience Hub

Health is increasingly being recognized as crucial for climate resilience. Health systems around the world face climate change challenges and it is critical to build resilience by applying lessons learned from past responses to shocks and stressors. Local and indigenous communities, who are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, hold valuable knowledge, lessons and solutions that must be adequately integrated into policy and transformative action.

This session highlights the ways in which community-level activities; from health system strengthening, resilience, locally-led adaptation, as well as examples of indigenous and community-led interventions, have created opportunities to improve health systems resilience. The session concludes with key takeaways and way forward for embedding community-led actions and principles, prioritizing programming principles to build climate resilient health systems, as well as implications for governance, national policies, and planning/management strategies.

Dr. Tabinda Sarosh, President, South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa, will join the panel discussion. Register for the virtual event >>

Building Low Carbon, Climate Adaptive and Resilient Health Systems

Date & Time: December 3, 2023 | 9:00 GST
Location: The Uganda Pavilion

This event will explore how health systems across sub-Saharan Africa can build resilience against climate change while reducing emissions within the sector. As global temperatures rise and extreme weather events become increasingly common, the need for climate resilient health systems has never been more critical. Climate-smart health care provided by a climate-smart health workforce within a low carbon, climate adaptive and resilient health systems will protect and improve the health of populations in the face of an unstable and changing climate. Dr. Tabinda Sarosh, President, South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa, will participate on the panel.

Sustainable Equitable Eco-Health Nexus Program in the MENA region

Date & Time: December 3, 2023 | 12:30 GST
Location: RCREEE Pavilion, Blue Zone

Our esteemed panelists represent the government, GCF and consortium members. During the session, panelists will share their views on the health-climate nexus model that we aim to implement in the MENA region. The model revolves around building community resilience in the MENA region, through a multi-faceted approach encompassing preparation, adaptation, mitigation, and community empowerment.

Intersectionality in Climate Commitments: Unveiling the Nexus Between Sexual Reproductive Health, Gender and Climate Change Adaptation

Date & Time: December 3, 2023 | 15:20 GST
Location: Uganda Pavilion Zone-B6 BLDG-71

The event will begin with first-hand field stories on how sexual and reproductive health is especially vulnerable to the climate crisis across different countries. This will be followed by sharing diverse experiences from 10 countries advocating for and implementing policies and programs at the nexus of SRHR, Gender and climate change, as well as sharing of a call to action. The audience will be given space to share some experiences before Q&A with participants. The session will end with a short networking.

By the end of the event, participants will have a deeper understanding of the intersectionality of SRHR, family planning, and climate action in the African region. The event aims to generate concrete recommendations and commitments to inform policy-making processes and inspire on-the-ground actions that contribute to sustainable and equitable development. Josaphat Mshighati, Regional Technical Advisor, East & Southern Africa – Women-led Climate Resilience, is one of the speakers. Learn more here >>

An Undervalued Pathway to Climate Resilience: Investing in Family Planning to Empower Women and Girls

Date & Time: December 4, 2023 | 18:30 GST
Location: SE Room 5, Blue Zone | Live Stream: UNFCCC YouTube Channel

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are fundamental to women’s and girls’ health, well-being and empowerment. Climate change negatively impacts every aspect of SRHR, frequently with tragic results. But women and girls, including those in last-mile communities in low- and middle-income countries, and those in fragile settings or facing humanitarian disasters who are most vulnerable to and often bear the brunt of climate change, should never be seen as mere victims of climate change; they have agency, rights and knowledge. By providing the healthcare services they want and which respond to their fundamental human rights, they can be empowered and agents of positive change with improved resilience.

This action-oriented event calls on donors, policy makers and implementing organisations to listen to the evidence that investing in family planning and SRHR is essential to fulfilling the rights of women and girls. It also builds resilience and adaptive capacity. Dr. Tabinda Sarosh, President, South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa, will participate in the discussion.