UK (Commonwealth Union)_ Global leaders, policymakers, and experts gathered at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London to discuss the important connection between human and planetary health amid the escalating crisis of climate change. The meeting, titled “One Health Approach: Moving from Siloed Thinking to Smart and Systemic Action,” was orchestrated by the Secretariat and PATH. It also featured a keynote speech by Hon. Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia and Chairperson of the Wellcome Trust.
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In her address, Gillard underscored the Commonwealth’s advocacy for global health, emphasizing the necessity of concerted efforts to fortify health systems through a ‘One Health’ framework. This approach advocates for an integrated strategy that improves and protects the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. She further added that climate change has become a decisive factor in every health concern, making it important to prioritize health in climate change endeavors. Despite challenges such as concurrent crises and uncertainty, leadership must concentrate on enabling the necessary actions to unfold. According to Gillard, health research indicates that transitioning to renewable energy and curbing emissions could annually save millions of lives and avoid numerous health challenges. Additionally, adaptation to inevitable climate change impacts necessitates investments in resilient infrastructure and innovative solutions.
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The Commonwealth Secretariat has launched the Accelerator for Resilience in Climate-Health (ARCH) in partnership with PATH. This platform aims to scope, finance, and deploy technologies for climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resilience, with a focus on improving public health outcomes in the 56 Commonwealth members and other heavily burdened countries. Accordingly, ARCH has developed a pipeline of over 20 impactful innovations, including climate-informed AI-based Dengue Early Warning Systems; a Disease Outbreak Intelligence Platform; Smart Mosquito Control and Management devices; and Point-of-Care Rapid Dengue and Chikungunya Detection kits. These innovations are tailored to address climate-induced health challenges across the diverse Commonwealth.
In her opening statements, Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, highlighted the urgent need for collaborative endeavors to address climate change, advocating for a paradigm shift that transcends traditional silos. She emphasized a holistic approach that prioritizes the well-being of all life and ecosystems. She stated, “We need a paradigm shift, which transcends traditional silos to achieve a more holistic approach, one which places the well-being of all life and ecosystems at the forefront of our collective efforts. Through our Commonwealth Environment Ministers, climate and health interventions, and the Accelerator for Resilience in Climate-Health (ARCH) initiative, we are advocating for a holistic, non-siloed, solutions-focused approach.”
The event united prominent leaders such as HE Dr. Youk Sambath, Secretary of State, Ministry of Health, Cambodia; The Hon Samantha Marshall, Minister of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation, and the Environment, Antigua and Barbuda; Mr. Joe Cerrell, Managing Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and Dr. Lutz Hegemann, President, Global Health and Sustainability, Novartis, Switzerland, among others. Organized at Marlborough House, the event symbolizes a shift towards smart, systemic, and collaborative action to tackle the interconnected crises of climate change and public health. Additionally, Commonwealth health ministers will also convene later this month in Geneva, with strategies to safeguard public health from the impacts of climate change topping the agenda.
