As part of the 29th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP29), the 3rd Global Conference on Oral Health and the Impact of Climate Change was held.
The event began with a video address by Minister of Health of Azerbaijan, Teymur Musayev, to the conference participants.
In his message, the minister highlighted that climate change has become a tangible threat to humanity, regardless of geographic location: “Climate change not only leads to significant economic losses but also causes human casualties and mass migration. The direct and indirect impacts of climate change on health remain a critical topic of scientific research, and the preliminary findings are alarming.”
Minister Musayev emphasized that the primary focus of COP29 discussions has been on financing efforts to combat the consequences of climate change: “The date of the 3rd Global Conference on Oral Health and Climate Change was not chosen by chance. Since COP29 is organized around thematic days, November 18 has been designated as Human Development Day, dedicated to children, youth, health, and education.”

According to the minister, recognizing the importance of health in the climate change agenda, Azerbaijan has joined the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), a key global collaboration platform for national and international climate action for health. Azerbaijan will also serve as a co-organizer of the Alliance for the next two years. “I take this opportunity to invite all COP29 participant countries to enhance our collective efforts further and to join the Alliance, which aims to build climate-resilient and low-carbon healthcare systems,” he stated.
In his video address, Teymur Musayev highlighted that oral health is a vital aspect of human well-being: “Climate change poses a significant threat to oral health due to factors such as changes in dietary habits, malnutrition, limited access to clean water, and other challenges. This necessitates the allocation of healthcare resources to address the health impacts related to climate change.”
He also emphasized that 2024 has been declared the “Year of Solidarity for a Green World” in Azerbaijan by Presidential Decree. “When addressing global issues, the principle of solidarity must be given special importance. Let us unite our efforts to save the future of our planet and our peoples,” the minister concluded.
Speakers at the event highlighted that COP29 provides an excellent opportunity for international dental experts to convene and prepare for complex challenges. They noted that the conference brought together experts from various countries to conduct in-depth discussions on the impact of climate change on oral health and dental services.
The third Global Conference on Oral Health and the Impact of Climate Change continued with thematic discussions, during which questions from participants were addressed.