Health Diplomacy Alliance

Category: Environment

  • World Environment Day Celebration 2026

    World Environment Day Celebration 2026

    In celebration of World Environment Day 2026, we are pleased to participate in Multilateral Geneva Driving Collective Climate Action, hosted by the Geneva Environment Network in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme Europe Office and partners.

    As part of the World Environment Day Forum, HDA will join other Geneva-based organizations on 5 June to contribute to discussions on the links between health, climate change, and sustainable development. Climate change has significant implications for health systems, population health, and health equity, making it an important area for international cooperation and policy dialogue.

    HDA works to promote collaboration and exchange among stakeholders involved in global health policy and diplomacy. Through engagement with governments, international organizations, academia, civil society, and other partners, HDA supports dialogue on approaches to addressing complex health challenges that increasingly intersect with environmental and climate-related issues.

    The event will bring together representatives from international organizations, governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector at the International Environment House II in Geneva. Discussions will focus on the role of multilateral cooperation in advancing climate action ahead of the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, and on the contribution of Geneva-based institutions to international policy processes.

    Participants are invited to visit the Health Diplomacy Alliance booth to learn more about our activities, exchange perspectives on the health impacts of climate change, and discuss areas of common interest and potential collaboration.

  • Plastics & Health: What We’re Not Talking About | Health Diplomacy House

    Plastics & Health: What We’re Not Talking About | Health Diplomacy House

    On the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79), the Health Diplomacy Alliance and Geneva Environment Network hosted the Health Diplomacy House on Thursday, 21 May 2026. The House was an informal working space where organizations can convene sessions, hold discussions, and collaborate on practical health policy issues. Part of the “Predictable Uncertainty” series, it brings together policymakers, diplomats, academia, civil society, philanthropic organizations, and patient groups.


    The programme consisted of roundtables, small group discussions, and space for bilateral meetings and media engagement, with a flexible agenda expected to cover topics such as One Health, antimicrobial resistance, climate and health, health financing, and global health governance.


    This growing recognition was reflected at the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly (WHA76), held in Geneva in May 2023, where Member States adopted a resolution on the impacts of chemicals, waste, and pollution on human health. Initially tabled by Peru, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Monaco, Switzerland, Uruguay, and the European Union and its Member States, the resolution calls for scaling up work on plastics and health. It also encourages contributions to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) mandated UNEA Resolution 5/14 to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The resolution further acknowledges related multilateral processes, including those under the Human Rights Council.


    Since then, WHO has called for the highest attainable standard of human and environmental health to be a core objective of the plastics treaty. WHO has highlighted the need to address both known and anticipated health risks associated with plastics, including chemicals and additives, as well as microplastics and nanoplastics, across all stages of the plastics lifecycle.


    This event featured Lightning Talks by diplomats, scientists, policymakers, and other experts. These talks will highlight why it is essential to communicate more clearly, consistently, and effectively about the health impacts of plastic pollution, and why health must be placed at the centre of global action on plastics.

    Lightning Talks

    From Science to Treaty: Placing Health at the Core of Global Plastics Governance

    Miriam G. MEDEL GARCIA | Head, Environment Team, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

    Plastics & Health | Giving the Attention it Needs

    Rüdiger KRECH | Acting Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration, World Health Organization

    The Global Health Burdens of Plastics: The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics

    Hervé RAPS | Research Liaison Physician, Centre Scientifique de Monaco

    Plastics & Health | Impacts Across the Full Lifecycle

    David AZOULAY | Director, Switzerland & Environmental Health Program, Center for International Environmental Law

    Food‑contact Chemical Regulation Ineffective for Health Protection

    Etienne CABANE | Engagement Director, Food Packaging Forum

     

    Plastic & Health | Mainstreaming Scientific Knowledge

    Roman LEHNER | SNF SPARK Grant Holder, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern

    Considering Key Elements for the Protection of Human Health in the Future Treaty on Plastic Pollution

    Carolyn DEERE BIRKBECK | Executive Director, Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS), Geneva Graduate Institute

    Plastic & Health | Scaling Proven Solutions

    María Alejandra GONZÁLEZ | Global Plastics Advocacy Manager, WWF Norway

    Sports for Nature | Swimming 191km to Raise Awareness for Global Ocean and Health Protection against Plastic Pollution

    Noam YARON | Record-Breaking Swiss Ultra-Endurance Athlete Advocating for Ocean Protection

    Video

    Live from the Résidence Rothschild

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  • Climate Change and Respiratory Health

    Climate Change and Respiratory Health

    This side event, organized by Health Diplomacy Alliance and Geneva Health Forum, and explores the growing impact of climate change on respiratory health and the increasing burden of respiratory infections worldwide.

    Rising temperatures, air pollution, and changing environmental conditions are contributing to worsening air quality, prolonged allergy seasons, and heightened vulnerability to diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

    Bringing together experts, policymakers, and practitioners, the session will examine how climate-related factors influence respiratory health; particularly among vulnerable populations; and discuss practical prevention strategies.

    The event will also focus on bridging research and policy to strengthen public health responses, promote innovation, and enhance resilience in the face of climate-driven health challenges.

    Dr. Maria Neira

    Former Director of Environment, climate change and health at WHO

    Richard PEARSHOUSE

    Head of the Environment and Human Rights Division at Human Rights Watch

    Prof. Helena Pité

    Professor of immuno-allergology
    Hospital CUF Tejo, Lisbon

    Panagiotis CHASLARIDIS

    Senior Policy Advisor, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations

    Mariam ZAIDI

    Journalist, Independant 

    Panelists

    Agenda

    18.00

    Welcome and registration

    18.15

    Introduction by Mariam Zaidi

    18.20

    Interactive panel discussion

    Climate change and respiratory health, importance of prevention Meaningful policy action: bridging research and practice.

    19.20

    Interactive Q&A

    19.50

    Wrap-up and next steps

    20.00

    Networking dinner buffet