Johannesburg, 30 September 2015 - Climate change is a major global health threat, posing immediate and long-term threats to human health and survival. Nowhere is this anticipated to have greater impact than in Africa, where social, political, environmental and economic conditions already create serious health vulnerabilities for many communities.

In response to a number of resolutions to address the health consequences of climate variability and change, a technical network of institutions working on climate change and health was established in 2013. Clim-Health serves to share expertise on the continent to develop Africa's capacity to understand and integrate climate change challenges into policy, socio-economics, planning and programming.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) with the support of the Country Office in South Africa is coordinating the 3rd meeting which takes place in Johannesburg. This meeting will:

  *   Review progress of the network's activities since its establishment

  *   Showcase the scope of climate and health work undertaken by various institutions

  *   Raise awareness of the network to expand membership to new partners; and

  *   Gain commitments for key activities in the 2015-2016 period.

The meeting will also officially launch WHO's call for urgent action to protect health from climate change in the global campaign "Our Climate Our Health", ahead of the climate change negotiations in Paris in December 2015.

Click here to read the opening statement of the WHO Country Representative in South Africa, Dr Sarah Barber.