Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, has praised the UAE for its effort to designate a day during COP28 to spotlight the crucial intersection of climate change and health.
In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) at the sidelines of COP28, Sands stated, “I commend the UAE on the successful hosting of the event, and I emphasize that prioritizing health in the context of climate change is a historic and praiseworthy move, acknowledging health as a fundamental aspect of the climate change agenda.”
He further stated, “This marks the first instance in the history of the Conference of the Parties that a dedicated day for health has been incorporated into the conference, underscoring the leadership of the United Arab Emirates in bringing global attention to the adverse impact of climate change on health. Establishing health as an integral component of the climate conference is a long-overdue measure.”
Sands highlighted that the UAE is attuned to the voices of millions in low- and middle-income countries already grappling with the consequences of climate change, manifested through extreme weather conditions and the expanded prevalence of infectious diseases.
He underscored that addressing the nexus between health and climate necessitates prompt action on various fronts, encompassing preventive measures to mitigate the threat posed by climate-sensitive diseases like malaria. Additionally, there is a need to enhance health systems to withstand climate change and reduce carbon emissions in health facilities and supply chains.
