Regional strategy for protecting health from climate change

Abstract

This Regional Strategy for Protecting Health from Climate Change has been developed to fulfil the decisions taken at the twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh Meetings of Ministers of Health of the Member States of the South-East Asia Region held in Thimphu, Bhutan in 2007; in New Delhi, India in 2008, and in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2009. These meetings urged WHO to formulate a regional strategy to combat the adverse health impacts of climate change. WHO was also requested to provide technical support for applied research, facilitate knowledge-sharing between Member States, assist in resource mobilization and facilitate regional coordination to voice common concerns at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (‎UNFCCC)‎. In addition, the Regional Committee in 2009 (‎SEA/RC62/R2)‎ urged the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia to develop a strategy for funding health-related climate action plans. This document is expected to assist Member States in developing, strengthening and updating their national strategies and plans of action on climate change and health.