BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 14. At COP29, panel
discussions focused on how climate change is affecting human
health, with Azerbaijan appointed as a co-founder of the Alliance
for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) for
2024-2026, Trend
reports.
During the event, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural
Resources and COP29 President, Mukhtar Babayev, emphasized the need
for global climate solidarity. He called on all countries to step
up efforts to counter the adverse effects of climate change.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised COP29 as
an ideal opportunity for the world to unite and find practical
solutions.
Speaking at a panel session, Azerbaijan’s Health Minister Teymur
Musaev highlighted the far-reaching and growing impact of climate
change on public health and economies. Musaev noted the rising
frequency of extreme weather events like floods and droughts in
recent decades: “Roughly one-third of heat-related deaths are
linked to climate change, and the number of climate-induced extreme
weather events has increased fivefold over the past 50 years.”
The minister pointed out that extreme weather conditions provide
fertile ground for infectious diseases to spread. He emphasized the
need for national policies to reduce climate risks, which could
help limit health and economic impacts.
“A key priority in President Ilham Aliyev’s development strategy
for Azerbaijan is to turn the liberated regions of Karabakh and
East Zangezur into a green energy zone,” Musaev added. “The goal is
to harness renewable energy potential to supply clean energy to
these areas, exploring green technologies and crafting
future-forward proposals.”
The session concluded with a unanimous decision for Azerbaijan
to serve as a co-founder of ATACH for 2024-2026. WHO
Director-General Ghebreyesus and Health Minister Musaev noted
Azerbaijan’s dedication as COP29 President to advancing the Climate
and Health Continuity Coalition by joining ATACH as a
co-organizer.
Leveraging the COP26 Health Program and climate-health
initiatives from COP27, COP28, COP29, and the 77th World Health
Assembly, ATACH stands as a crucial global partnership for
advancing climate and health actions, including efforts to build
climate-resilient, low-carbon healthcare systems.
In joining ATACH, Azerbaijan has pledged to work on creating a
climate-resilient health system that will be essential for
safeguarding public health in the face of a changing climate.
As co-organizers, WHO and Azerbaijan remain committed to
collaborating with past and future COP presidencies and ATACH
members to drive meaningful progress on climate and health
worldwide.
