COP29 declaration should include migrant health as climate refugees predicted to reach 1.2B by 2050: WHO

GENEVA

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief on Friday said the UN agency wants migrant health to be included in the COP29 declaration as climate refugees are predicted to reach 1.2 billion by 2050.

"Up to 1.2 billion people could be displaced by 2050 due to climate-driven events. The climate crisis is a health crisis, that particularly impacts the health of migrants," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X.

"We would therefore like migrant health to be included in the declaration at COP29 and future COPs," Tedros said.

Underlining the importance of working together on this matter, he stressed that such joint effort is needed so that everyone, everywhere, can access the health services they need in a rapidly changing world.