Mid-way through a global ‘super-year’ of elections and in the context of new institutional and programming cycles for the EU and AU, the United Nations is set to host the Summit of the Future in New York in September 2024. Co-led by Namibia and Germany, the Summit is outlined as
“a moment to mend eroded trust and demonstrate that international cooperation can effectively tackle current challenges…” At the heart of these challenges lies the climate-health nexus, elevated at COP28 and most recently at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where member states adopted a resolution acknowledging insufficient financing as a significant barrier to developing resilient and sustainable health systems.
With countries expected to enhance their next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) in 2025, covering the period from 2025-2035, it’s crucial that a ONE health approach is adopted and for countries to secure the technical capacities and financial resources to deliver on commitments. Accessibility, quality, and predictability of climate finance, as well as honouring climate finance commitments and innovative finance, will play a critical role in operationalising revised NDCs. It will also contribute to future-proofing, climate-proofing, and integration of development and health agendas.
To this end, and in the lead-up to COP29, going through to the Financing for Development Conference in Spain, to the World Social Summit in Qatar till COP30 in Belem, Brazil, the climate-health community calls for an effective, needs-based, accountable, and predictable New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on Climate Finance, whereby health is fully integrated and recognised as a transversal theme that cuts across climate action and sustainable development at large. As we forge ahead amongst several competing global priorities needing financing, climate‑resilient health systems must be considered a mandatory and foundational element to build upon for a prosperous society.
In this context, the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF), Amref Health Africa, and Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) will convene a High-level roundtable on Climate and Health to reflect on financing gaps and opportunities and innovative instruments to better track climate finance and bridge the disconnect between money pledged and accounted for. Objectives: - Lay the groundwork for COP29 and look ahead to COP30, with the aim of uniting a global health voice to place "health" at the core of negotiations, including the worldwide goal of adaptation, new climate finance targets and the loss and damage fund.
- Support the bridging and operationalising agendas such as the Guiding Principles for Financing Climate and Health Solutions and the Joint Roadmap for Climate-Health Finance by International Financing Institutions.
- Engage high-level political leaders to commit to the necessary financing quantum, instruments, and timeframe for delivering climate finance within the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which supports all required climate actions, including those in the health sector.
- Elevate innovative financing models that are just, equitable, and non-debt-burdening while strengthening allocation accountability to ensure the effectiveness of investments in reaching communities.
To achieve the set objectives and foster bold political commitments in the lead-up to COP29, the convening will focus on engaging key policymakers, experts, and diverse health and climate funders. They will strive to lay a foundation for a joint Africa-Europe Climate-Health Roadmap, emphasizing the need for grant-based and blended climate and health financing models that are just, equitable and don’t add to existing debt burdens, especially for Africa where the impacts of climate on health are primarily felt.
DRAFT AGENDA (all times in ET)
Time Session Duration16:30 - 17:00Registration30 min17:00 - 17:03Opening Remarks3 min17:03 - 17:13Keynote by Heads of State10 min17:13 - 17:28Evidence Base Discussion15 min17:28 - 17:38Headliner10 min17:38 - 18:28High-level Roundtable: paving an Africa-Europe political and financial roadmap at the nexus of climate-health50 min18:28 - 18:30Closing Remarks2 min18:30 – 19:30Networking cocktail60 min
Video will become available 10 minutes before session start