Memişoğlu told the AA correspondent that the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held in Antalya on November 9-20, is an important opportunity to develop international cooperation in the field of climate and health.
Pointing out that climate change, beyond being one of the most important global problems of the age, has become a strategic issue that directly affects human health, access to health services and the sustainability of health systems, Memişoğlu said, "As emphasized by the World Health Organization, the climate crisis is also a health crisis." made his assessment.
Memişoğlu emphasized that it is imperative to strengthen health systems as dynamic and durable structures that can predict future risks, prepare for crises and adapt to changing conditions, and stated that Türkiye sees providing uninterrupted, qualified and accessible health services to its citizens as a main priority.
Minister Memişoğlu stated that the "Protecting, Developing and Producing Health" approach adopted by the Ministry of Health in line with the "Healthy Turkey Century" vision also directs the studies in the field of climate and health, and said:
"Early detection of climate risks, strengthening preventive health services, increasing the resilience of health infrastructure, utilizing digital and innovative solutions and improving the environmental sustainability of health services are the main reflections of this approach."
"Health became an independent field of action for the first time in the history of the COP"
Minister Memişoğlu emphasized that Türkiye's hosting of the conference within the scope of the COP31 Term Presidency is an important responsibility and opportunity in terms of strengthening the climate and health agenda on a global scale.
Underlining that for the first time in the history of the COP, the health title was included as the 10th action title in the Action Agenda as an independent action area, Memişoğlu said, "The inclusion of health in the action agenda under the title 'Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems' is an important achievement in terms of a stronger acceptance at the international level that health is an integral part of the fight against climate change." he said.
Memişoğlu stated that they aim to contribute to the acceleration of climate action by sharing Türkiye's national experiences, capacities and practices in the field of health with the international community, and to make the development of dynamic and resilient health systems a common priority on a global scale, and emphasized that they will not only prepare Türkiye's health system for the risks of the future, but will also continue their global advocacy efforts with determination so that the relationship between health and climate is at the center of international climate policies.
Pointing out that permanent success in the fight against the climate crisis will be possible with strong solidarity between countries, scientific cooperation, sharing of knowledge and experience, access to finance and dissemination of successful practices, Memişoğlu made the following evaluations:
"For this reason, we see COP31 as a basis for cooperation where political commitments are put into practice, countries learn from each other and common solutions are developed. As Turkey, our goal is to contribute to the construction of more durable, sustainable, inclusive and equitable health systems that secure not only the health of today but also the health of future generations by placing health at the center of climate action. We will continue our work at the national and international level to ensure that the common will of COP31 turns into permanent gains."
Studies on sustainable practices in the field of health will be shared
The Ministry of Health will share its work on the effects of climate change on human health, climate-resistant health systems and sustainable practices in the field of health internationally through events to be held in the Blue Area and Green Area within the scope of COP31.
Official negotiations and high-level talks will be held in the Blue Area, one of the two main areas of COP31. In the public Green Area, citizens, young people, academic circles, private sector, municipalities and non-governmental organizations will be able to contribute to the climate agenda through exhibitions, panels, stands and workshops. The Resilient Cities Hub will also be located in the Green Area, the activity area of the Ministry of Health.
Minister of Health Memişoğlu will attend high-level meetings
Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu will speak at the press conference to be held on November 9 within the scope of COP31. Memişoğlu, who will visit the Blue Area Türkiye Pavilion on the same day, will participate in the high-level panel titled "Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems: Country Experiences".
Memişoğlu will attend the High Level Round Table Meeting as the session chair and make the opening and closing speeches of the meeting.
Memişoğlu, who will address the participants at the high-level opening program to be held on the occasion of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Special Initiative on Climate Change (ATACH) day on November 10, is scheduled to attend the Leaders' Round Table Meeting on "Clean Cooking in Africa" on November 12.
31 panels and sessions will be held in the Green Field program
At the meeting to be held in cooperation with the COP31 Presidency, the United Republic of Tanzania and the International Energy Agency (IEA), the role of women leaders, clean cooking methods in public institutions, supporting local initiatives, financing and partnership opportunities will be evaluated. The meeting will also focus on areas of cooperation for the second Clean Cooking Summit, which is planned to be held in Africa in January 2027.
The Green Field program of the Ministry of Health aims to make the effects of climate change on health visible, to support the development of climate-resistant health systems and to combine scientific studies in the field of health with innovative solutions. In this regard, it is envisaged that a total of 31 panels and sessions will be held over 12 days, and 124 speakers and moderators will take part in the program.
In the panel program, health facilities from the central and provincial organizations of the Ministry of Health, as well as universities, private sector organizations, non-governmental and professional organizations and international organizations will be represented.
Within the scope of international participation, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) and Lancet Countdown Europe will take part in the meetings.
Many issues such as the effects of climate change on extreme temperatures, air pollution, water and food security, vector-borne diseases and mental health will be discussed at the panels and stands in the Green Area.
Türkiye's health plans to combat extreme heat and climate change, monitoring of climate-sensitive diseases, early warning systems, "One Health" approach and preventive health services will be introduced.
Practices to protect children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases from climate-related health risks will be shared.
Reducing the environmental impacts of health facilities and increasing energy efficiency will also have an important place in the Ministry of Health's program.
Studies in the fields of energy saving in public buildings, use of renewable energy, green hospital practices, waste management and sustainable healthcare services will be presented. In this context, energy efficiency studies carried out in 809 healthcare facilities and solar energy investments covering approximately 70 hospitals will be introduced. The contribution of digital health applications, home health services and systems that reduce paper use to environmental sustainability will be explained.
Scientific studies on the effects of climate change on health will be shared with participants through research conducted by TÜSEB.
The health consequences of extreme heat and air pollution, climate-related disease risks, the carbon footprint of healthcare services and solution suggestions for climate-resilient healthcare systems will be among the research topics of the program. Environmentally friendly production, sustainable supply chains and innovative technologies in the healthcare industry will also be discussed with good practice examples.
The Ministry of Health's COP31 program aims to increase the international visibility of Türkiye's policies, projects, research and practices in the field of climate and health, to develop climate-resistant and low-carbon health systems, and to create new collaborations between different stakeholders.
