As part of the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), “ATACH Day” was held.
In his address, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Health, Teymur Musayev, emphasized that climate change, as a global issue and a real threat to humanity, is one of the most pressing topics of modern times: “What was once perceived as a distant possibility is now ‘knocking at our door.’ Droughts, water scarcity, extreme heat, and rising sea levels are forcing people to leave their homes.”
The minister noted that while the economic losses suffered by nations and individuals are significant, they are, to some extent, reversible: “However, what is irreversible is the loss of health and life borne by those most affected by the consequences of climate change. In fact, health impacts are among the first and most immediate consequences of climate change that we are currently witnessing. This clearly demonstrates that any discussion of climate change is incomplete without considering its effects on health.”

It was highlighted that Azerbaijan has officially joined the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) and will act as a co-organizer of the Alliance from 2024 to 2026: “ATACH serves as a key global platform for national and international collaboration on climate and health. The Alliance builds on the achievements of the COP26 Health Program and subsequent initiatives, including the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda (COP27), the COP28 Health Declaration, and the Climate Change and Health Resolution adopted at the 77th World Health Assembly.”
As the host of COP29, Azerbaijan is committed to transitioning to green energy, Musayev noted: “Financing the mitigation of climate change remains a cornerstone of COP29 discussions, including funding for health-related impacts. We believe that financing for climate and health agendas must be elevated to a new level, engaging all relevant stakeholders.”
“Currently, ATACH unites over 90 countries and territories and more than 70 partners working together on this critical mission. Furthermore, the Alliance provides a vital global mechanism for advancing climate and health actions, including building climate-resilient and low-carbon healthcare systems. As a co-organizer of ATACH, the Republic of Azerbaijan is committed to collaborating with past and future COP presidencies and all ATACH members to drive global momentum for climate and health actions through the Alliance. We invite all COP29 participant countries to join ATACH. By doing so, they can contribute to and benefit from collective efforts to protect and improve health through climate action,” the minister concluded.
Speakers at the event, including Dr. Saia Mau Piukala, Director of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific; Gerard Howe, Head of the Adaptation, Nature, and Resilience Department at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO); Dr. Ethel Maciel, Secretary for Health Surveillance at Brazil’s Ministry of Health; and Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, Assistant Minister for Institutional Reforms at Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population, underscored that COP29 provides an excellent opportunity for the global community to unite in identifying practical solutions.

They emphasized that climate change is contributing to the spread of dangerous diseases, burdening healthcare systems, and undermining financial sustainability. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by such crises. Therefore, it is vital to seize opportunities arising from crisis response actions to foster innovation, technology, and research. These measures will pave the way for a healthier future and more resilient systems.