Summary of the 5th Global Conference on Climate and Health
Photo credit: Zeca Miranda- Brazil Ministry of Health The 2025 Global Conference on Climate and Health and Second ATACH In-Person Meeting took place in Brasília, Brazil, from 29 to 31 July 2025. Over 600 participants from 90 countries participated in the event and built consensus around the Belém Health Action Plan. Key moments of the Conference are highlighted below, with the full meeting summary available here.
Day 1: Featuring cross-sectoral leadership and financing of climate and health action
Day 1 of the Global Conference on Climate and Health in Brasilia, Brazil opened with strong statements from Indigenous leaders, International Organisations and National Representatives and the announcement of an official Health Day at COP30.
The day started with remarks from high-level representatives on the climate-health nexus, the role of the health sector at COP 30 and the way forward.
“This Conference can be a springboard to build healthier, more resilient, and more equitable societies,”
- Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus - WHO Director-General via video message.
The climate crisis was likened to a silent war on our health with the most vulnerable communities being harmed the most, though they contributed the least. The message of the conference was clear: we must change our behaviour and take concrete climate and health action now.
“It’s not about creating a new way, it is about walking differently,”
- H.E. Marina Silva, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Brazil
As part of the closing remarks in the opening ceremony, supported by vaccination mascot ‘Mr. Drop,’ H.E. Alexandre Padilha, Brazilian Minister of Health confirmed a dedicated health day at on 13 November at COP30, fortifying the argument for health at climate negotiations.
In session 1, distinguished speakers discussed the Belém Health Action Plan calling for the implementation of equitable climate health measures by all nations. People will be the central theme of COP30, meaning Indigenous persons, vulnerable communities and women – those who feel the greatest impacts of climate change – will be represented in the agenda and will be a large part of the Belém Health Action Plan. There were calls for climate problems and solutions to be viewed through an equitable lens.
Another key subject of discussion was climate and health financing, particularly how the global community must rethink how financing is mobilised, not just calculate how much more is needed.
“With loans you kill people economically instead of environmentally,”
- Youssef Nassef, Director of Adaptation – United Nations Framework, Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The necessity of cross-sector coordination was addressed, how the needs of the private sector must be considered and can often be utilised to promote public health. For example, pharmaceuticals respond to demand, so developing stockpiles of vaccine and therapeutic goods will benefit the private sector while ensuring rapid responses to health emergencies.
Capacity building in the health workforce was addressed.
“We need to invest in our health workforce. Even with the best vaccines or therapeutics in the world, if we have no health workforce to bring them to the citizens, then they are of no use. We need to invest in the training of the health workforce and ensure continuity of care, and we must ensure their mental health is supported.”
- Daphne Von Buxhoeveden, Head of Unit - EU Commission,
Session 1 closed with strong words from civil society groups, reminding us that climate and health action is essential for our survival.
“We will fight every day. Our life, our health, is not for sale!”
- Marta Giani, Women’s movement of Pará - The People's Summit.
The afternoon sessions were split into distinct rooms for the ideas labs followed by working groups dedicated to the three strategic lines of the Belém Health Action Plan:
- Health Surveillance and Monitoring;
- Evidence-Based Policy Strategy and Capacity Building;
- Innovation and Production.
Watch the full recording of the first day of the 5th Conference on Climate and Health here.
Day 2: Focusing on ATACH and addressing critical climate and health challenges
The second day of the Global Conference on Climate and Health focused on the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), as the largest platform bringing together partners and over 95 countries having committed to increased action on climate and health. Its role to promote the implementation and progress tracking of the Belém Health Action Plan was discussed.
Sessions highlighted progress made by ATACH, various countries and WHO regions, challenges faced, and the critical importance of financing, governance, multisectoral collaboration, capacity building, and social participation in climate and health initiatives. Representatives from ministries of health across WHO regions, international organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and the private sector shared experiences, priorities, and innovative approaches to climate adaptation in health.
Discussions throughout the day underscored the urgency of integrating climate considerations into national health strategies, strengthening health infrastructure, promoting equitable social participation, and unlocking diverse financing mechanisms – especially for vulnerable populations and low-income countries.
Speakers emphasized the need for harmonized global and regional efforts, innovative financing models, and inclusive governance to transform commitments into tangible action ahead of COP30. ATACH facilitates global, regional and national collaboration to build climate-resilient, low-carbon and sustainable health systems and health-promoting interventions by other sectors, aligned with COP26, COP27 and COP28 commitments and priorities. ATACH is calling for more countries and partners to join the alliance for a healthier world for all.
The afternoon sessions were split into distinct rooms with for the ideas labs and the working groups dedicated to into three distinct rooms with working groups continuing work on the three strategic lines of the Belém Health Action Plan:
- Health Surveillance and Monitoring;
- Evidence-Based Policy Strategy and Capacity Building;
- Innovation and Production.
Watch the recording of day 2 here.
Day 3: Advancing and monitoring climate and health action
Day 3 of the Global Conference on Climate and Health made way for in-depth discussions emphasizing the development, alignment, and implementation of health-related indicators within the broader framework of climate action.
Speakers highlighted the leadership role of Brazil and ATACH in advancing the Belém Health Action Plan, which seeks to operationalize climate-resilient health for all through evidence-based indicators. The interlinkages between health and climate are clear with the Global Conference on Climate and Health strengthening the resolve of participants in the lead up to COP30.
Discussions on day 3 covered the complexities of indicator development, including challenges related to data collection, disaggregation by vulnerable groups, and ensuring indicators reflect adaptation efforts rather than just impacts. Key inputs from the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), the Lancet Countdown, WHO, and the Office for National Statistics’ SOSCHI project were described, illustrating the collaborative effort to standardize metrics globally while still respecting local contexts.
Sessions discussed equity and gender as transversal priorities, emphasizing the need for social participation and inclusive governance in shaping climate-health policies. Several country perspectives, including Mozambique, Vietnam, and Brazil, were shared regarding national surveillance systems, vulnerability assessments, and integration of climate-health indicators into policy frameworks. Financing and investment strategies from multilateral development banks and the UNFCCC’s role in supporting these processes were also discussed.
The closing sessions stressed the urgency of translating commitments into concrete actions, fostering multisectoral collaboration, and maintaining momentum for COP30 and beyond. Participants were reminded that Indigenous voices and community-led approaches are essential components to ensure justice and effectiveness in climate and health responses.
The Global Conference on Climate and Health in Brasilia was a pivotal moment in global health and climate policy. We at ATACH are gearing up in the lead up to COP30 with a strong focus on inclusivity, accountability, and actionable frameworks to protect vulnerable populations and build resilient health systems.
Watch the recording of day 3 here.