Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Climate Change, Energy and Air Quality Unit, stated that Türkiye has become one of the pioneers of the health agenda within the scope of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change, and said that they hope to make significant progress at the COP31 summit to be hosted by Türkiye.
Campbell-Lendrum and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made evaluations at the WHO's weekly press conference where global health issues are discussed.
Stating that he will meet with world leaders in Türkiye next week for COP31, Ghebreyesus said, "As WHO, we will once again emphasize that the climate crisis is actually a health crisis and that the strongest justification for climate action is health." he said.
Underlining that the effects of climate change on health are not just a theoretical risk for the future, Ghebreyesus emphasized that its effects are felt.
Ghebreyesus said, "The climate crisis triggers epidemics, leads to increased cases of heart and lung diseases, cancer and asthma, and makes access to healthy nutrition more costly." he said.
"Türkiye has become one of the pioneers of the health agenda within the scope of COP negotiations"
AA correspondent said, "Mr. Ghebreyesus stated that he will be in Türkiye for COP31 next week. Turkey is actively operating in the field of 'climate diplomacy'. What kind of results do you expect from this summit, which will be held under Turkey's chairmanship? Do you think this summit will be different from others?" Campbell-Lendrum said, "Turkey has become one of the pioneers of the health agenda within the scope of COP negotiations. As a matter of fact, Turkey has made climate resilient and dynamic health systems one of the 10 priorities it has determined for COP31. We see this as a concrete progress." he replied.
Campbell-Lendrum underlined that they consider it a positive development that a very comprehensive "health day" will be held on the first day of COP31.
Pointing out that WHO Director General Ghebreyesus will also attend this event, Campbell-Lendrum stated that he will reiterate his messages on climate and health here.
"We hope for significant progress (at COP31). We need to see concrete steps taken on the key agenda items of the last 30 COP summits," Campbell-Lendrum said. He pointed out that the main agenda items include reducing carbon emissions that trigger climate change and increasing health risks, protecting people against the effects of climate change currently experienced, and financing issues.
Emphasizing that those who contribute least to climate change are the ones most vulnerable to this change, Campbell-Lendrum said, "We have great hope that the health-based arguments we put forward will help encourage stronger action than we have seen at the past 30 COP summits." he said.
