The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched its first-ever regional strategy for climate and health action, alongside health ministers and health partners from 38 countries and areas attending the seventy-sixth session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific. The strategy was developed by the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region (ACE), based in Seoul and hosted by the Republic of Korea.<\/p>\n
The Western Pacific Region \u2013 home to more than 2.2 billion people and one of the most climate-vulnerable regions on Earth \u2013 is a driver of global progress on climate-related health action. From rising sea levels threatening island nations to worsening air pollution and extreme heat in rapidly growing cities, the impacts of a changing climate are already claiming lives and livelihoods across the Region.<\/p>\n
Each year, around 3.5 million people in the Western Pacific Region die from preventable environmental causes, including unsafe water, polluted air and exposure to extreme weather. Outdoor air pollution alone takes one life every 14 seconds in the Region \u2013 stark evidence that climate change and environmental degradation are already major public health crises. <\/p>\n
\u201cClimate change is no longer a distant threat \u2013 it is a health emergency unfolding in real time,\u201d said Dr Saia Ma\u2019u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. \u201cOur new strategy, through our centre of excellence on climate and health, is an urgent call to action to protect our people and our planet, ensuring a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future for all.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Strategic plan for the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health (2025\u2013 2030) sets out three priorities for the next five years:<\/p>\n
Climate-resilient and sustainable health systems \u2013 helping countries adapt to climate impacts while reducing emissions from the health sector.Healthy urban and island systems \u2013 promoting cleaner air, safer water and more sustainable urban development.Sustainable food systems for people and planet \u2013 advancing nutrition and climate goals through resilient, low-emission food systems.<\/p>\n
Globally, WHO estimates that climate change could cause an additional 250\u00a0000 deaths every year between 2030 and 2050 from malnutrition, malaria, heat stress and other causes \u2013 but much of that burden will fall on the Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis strategy harnesses the Region\u2019s extraordinary diversity, innovation and leadership to turn ambition into action,\u201d said Dr Sandro Demaio, ACE Director. \u201cThe Western Pacific truly holds the key to global progress on climate and health \u2013 what happens here will shape the health of generations to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cFiji, a Pacific island nation, provides the perfect backdrop to launch our strategy, symbolizing Pacific countries and areas whose very existence is threatened by rising sea levels and other manifestations of the climate crisis,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The strategy will guide regional efforts to scale up implementation, foster innovation and strengthen cooperation among governments, researchers and partners across the Asia-Pacific region \u2013 to better protect health, build resilience and accelerate climate action.<\/p>\n
Access the ACE Strategic Plan at: WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region<\/a><\/p>\n About WHO ACE: <\/p>\n The WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region (ACE), based in Seoul, will lead implementation of the new Strategic plan for the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health (2025\u2013 2030). Established in 2019 under a partnership between WHO, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment of the Republic of Korea and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, ACE serves as WHO\u2019s regional hub for advancing integrated climate, environment and health action. <\/p>\n For more information and\/or to arrange media interviews, contact:<\/p>\n Hye Young Song, WHO ACE: hsong@who.int<\/a> <\/p>\n