WHO/UNEP Inter-ministerial Conference to Address Climate Change Impacts on Health in Africa

22 August 2008: The Inter-ministerial Conference for Health and Environment in Africa, which will take place from 26-29 August 2008 in Libreville, Gabon, is organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with the host Government. The Conference is scheduled to explore the evidence base for the bi-directional links between health and environment, including the threat posed by climate change to the health of communities in the region.

The event is based on the estimate that 25% of the disease burden in Africa may be associated with environmental changes, such as air pollution, unsafe water supplies, inadequate sanitation, ecosystem degradation and climate change. The Conference aims to secure political commitment for catalyzing the policy, institutional and investment changes required to reduce environmental threats to health, in support of sustainable development. [IISDRS Coverage] [UNEP press release, 22 August 2008]