Background
Climate change drives displacement, worsens vulnerabilities, and places immense pressure on health systems. In 2023 alone, more than 20 million people were internally displaced by sudden-onset weather events. By 2050, over 216 million people could be forced to move within their countries due to climate-related impacts. As a risk multiplier, climate change exacerbates food insecurity, facilitates the spread of vector-borne diseases and places additional strain on health systems, particularly in low-resource settings. Health systems must be prepared not only to respond to emergencies but also to address the evolving, long-term health needs of migrant and displaced populations.
About the event
Co-organized by the WHO Special Initiative on Health and Migration, UN University, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the World Federation of Public Health Associations, this high-level COP30 event examines the climate–health–migration and displacement nexus. It draws on the latest evidence from the recently published 7th WHO Global Evidence Review on Health and Migration to consider the full spectrum of climate-related mobility, from displacement to immobility, and its implications for equity, preparedness and access to care.
The session brings together representatives from Member States, UN agencies, and non-state actors to outline practical pathways to migrant-inclusive, climate-resilient health systems. This includes: integrating refugees, migrants and displaced populations within universal health coverage and climate adaptation frameworks; advancing the Belém Health Action Plan through evidence-based, equity-centred approaches; and addressing social determinants of health through inclusive early warning and response systems that engage local health facilities, civil society and migrant communities.
A detailed event agenda will be available soon.
In-person participation is available to COP30 registered participants with access to the Blue Zone. Online participation is open to all, with the event livestreamed globally.