On November 2, 2026, the Global Coalition of Academies of Medicine on Climate and Health convened more than 30 academy members and experts from around the world for its Countdown to COP31 Roundtable. The virtual gathering brought together perspectives from national academies, governments, and international organizations to examine progress on climate and health commitments and explore opportunities for collective action ahead of, during, and after COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
Key Discussion Themes
The discussion focused on four priority areas:
1. COP Host Countries’ Leadership
Participants highlighted progress by COP31 host countries Türkiye and Australia, as well as COP32 host Ethiopia, in elevating climate and health within national policy agendas. Discussions emphasized advances in national adaptation planning, climate-health surveillance, workforce development, and international cooperation, while recognizing persistent financing gaps that constrain implementation.
2. Dynamic, Resilient Health Systems
The roundtable explored opportunities to integrate climate resilience and environmental sustainability into existing health systems. Participants emphasized strengthening health infrastructure, workforce preparedness, surveillance, and leadership, alongside the importance of national coordination and measurable indicators to track progress. The discussion reinforced the need to move beyond planning toward practical implementation.
3. Climate-Health Commitments to Sustained Action and Funding
Participants examined how climate-health commitments can be translated into sustained investments and action. Key themes included mobilizing predictable and equitable financing, strengthening governance, expanding cross-sector collaboration, and ensuring health considerations inform broader climate policy and investment decisions. Discussions also highlighted the importance of translating the Belém Health Action Plan into concrete national actions.
4. Academies’ Capacity Building in Climate and Health
The discussion underscored the vital role of national academies in strengthening scientific capacity and translating evidence into policy and investment. Participants emphasized interdisciplinary international partnerships and knowledge exchange as essential mechanisms for advancing locally led climate-health solutions and building institutional capacity across countries.
Looking Ahead to COP31
The roundtable reinforced the importance of international scientific cooperation in accelerating climate-health action and served as an opportunity for participants to review options for providing support for COP31’s priority of Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems.
Building on these discussions, the Global Coalition of Academies of Medicine on Climate and Health and the Turkish Academy of Sciences will co-host “Science and Leadership for Climate-Resilient Health Systems” at COP31 in the Türkiye Pavilion (Blue Zone), Antalya. Moderated by former NAM President Victor J. Dzau, the session will bring together international leaders to assess progress since COP30, identify implementation barriers, and advance practical priorities for medical academies to play a leading role in building climate-resilient and sustainable health systems beyond COP31. Access the session on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 5:30–6:15 AM ET / 13:30-14:15 TRT.
