The conference was organized by Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy in collaboration with the Department of Health Environment Management, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), UNICEF Vietnam, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Center for Health Environment Research and Development (CHERAD), and FHI 360. It aimed to bring together hospitals, health systems, climate activists, and other stakeholders to build a sustainable, climate-resilient, green healthcare sector across Asia. The event highlighted the leadership role of the health sector in pursuing health equity and justice through stronger environmental policies, post-pandemic reconstruction, and disaster recovery. Additionally, it sought to mobilize healthcare institutions and professionals to lead climate-focused discussions.
The conference featured three plenary sessions and 12 parallel sessions on various related topics, providing a forum for global experts to contribute to establishing a global Green and Healthy Hospital Network in the fight against climate change.
Delegates at the conference
The 2024 conference set ambitious goals, including developing stronger leadership and a broader climate action movement within the health sector across Asia, with a focus on equity, resilience, and climate impact mitigation. The event aimed to connect hospitals, healthcare systems, and stakeholders to foster a green, sustainable, and climate-resilient healthcare system. Through this, it envisioned building stronger leadership and a larger climate action movement across Asia's healthcare sector toward a sustainable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient region.
The International Scientific Conference on Climate Change, Health, and Green Health Systems in Asia-Pacific was first held in 2013 in Manila, Philippines, attended by member institutions across Asia and HCWH offices worldwide. Subsequent conferences took place in South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam.
This conference provides an opportunity for leaders, activists, and health experts to meet, share, and work towards a common goal of creating green, sustainable, and eco-friendly healthcare. Participants hope that this collaboration will lay the groundwork for effective, sustainable, and equitable solutions for the future of healthcare in Asia and beyond.