79th World Health Assembly Side Event – co-organised by EUPHA
Humanity is at a critical inflection point, facing a polycrisis of climate change, armed conflict, pandemics, and deepening inequalities—with major impacts on health and well-being.
The climate crisis is a public health emergency and a threat multiplier, especially in conflict settings. Extreme weather, resource scarcity, and environmental damage disrupt health systems, worsen food insecurity, drive displacement, and increase disease risks, while attacks on healthcare further erode access.
This World Health Assembly side event will examine these intersecting crises, drawing on evidence and frontline experience to highlight risks to the right to health and essential needs like clean air, water, food, and care.
It will also underscore the need for stronger multilateral action, solidarity, and a just transition.
Speakers
include senior health and legal experts, researchers, civil society leaders, and advocates:
- Prof. John Middleton ( President, Global Network for Academic Public Health)
- Dr Jeni Miller (Executive Director, Global Climate and Health Alliance)
- Dr Maria Neira (Former Director Public health, environment and social determinants, WHO)
- Dr Astrid Puentes Riaño (United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to a healthy environment)
- Emma Rawson-Te Patu (President, World Federation of Public Health Associations)
- Dr Agnes Soares (Director of the Department of Environmental Health and Workers’ Health, Brazil Ministry of Health)
- Atty. Vicente Paolo B. Yu III (Lawyer, G77 lead negotiator)
- Dr Stella Ziegler (Board member, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War)
For further information contact: farhang.tahzib@gmail.com or alexandra.malm@geneva.msf.org