Health at COP31
The 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, more commonly known as COP31, will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026, under the incoming Presidency of Türkiye and Australia. It will bring together governments, UN bodies, civil society, academia and the private sector to accelerate climate action, focusing on implementation, finance and a just transition, with an overall vision of “Dialogue. Consensus. Action.”
At COP31, WHO will work with partners to help place health at the heart of climate discussions by advancing climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems. Building on the momentum from recent COPs, COP31 offers an opportunity to accelerate implementation, strengthen accountability and elevate country action.
The vital inclusion of Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems in the COP31 Presidency’s ten priority themes signals growing recognition that health is both a frontline impact of climate change and a foundation for effective climate response. Resilient health systems help countries anticipate, prevent and respond to climate-related health risks while advancing equity, continuity of care and long-term social resilience.
The dedicated COP31 Health Day will take place on the first day of the Conference, 9 November, coinciding with the thematic priorities on Food and Agriculture. The official programme of the Health Day will include four high-level panels followed by a Ministerial convening:
- Panel 1 —Country Experiences in Building Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems;
- Panel 2 — Strong Climate Action and Digital Health;
- Panel 3 — New Dimensions in Health: Climate-Sensitive Health Technologies and Access;
- Panel 4 — Humanitarian Aid and Health: Integration in Crisis Management;
- Ministerial Roundtable: a dedicated space for health ministers to forge commitments and align national priorities.
Other key climate-health events at COP31 include:
- WHO/ATACH-led event “From Commitment to Implementation: Accelerating Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Health Systems through ATACH” - 9 November, 12:45-13:30, France Pavilion.
This high-level event will showcase progress in translating global climate and health commitments into concrete implementation at country level. Building on the outcomes of the 2026 ATACH High-Level Strategic Meeting in Paris and the COP30 Belém Health Action Plan, the session will explore how countries and partners are strengthening climate-resilient, low-carbon and sustainable health systems while embedding health into climate policies, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and broader development strategies.
- ATACH Day at the Health Pavilion, more details available here.
- UN High-level Side Event “Resilient and dynamic health systems: progress from recent COPs” led by WHO in collaboration with other UN partners: UNU, UNICEF, UNDP, OHCHR, UNFPA – 14 November, 15:00-16:30, Side event room Blue.
Health is gaining momentum within global climate agenda. This event will highlight progress from recent COPs, showcase national experiences, and explore priorities for advancing resilient and dynamic health systems through stronger climate and health action.
COP31 Health Pavilion
The COP31 Health Pavilion will be hosting over 60 events during the two weeks of COP. More details, including the full programme and the live streaming is available here.
More details will be made available on this webpage soon.
Pre-COP activities
In the run up to COP31, there is a number of activities planned to emphasize the importance of health within the climate agenda:
Side Event at SB64 - 15 June 2026, Bonn, Germany
As part of the lead-up to COP31, WHO, UNU, Save the Children, and the Ministry of Health of Brazil co-hosted a side event at the 64th UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB64) in Bonn. Taking place on Monday, 15 June 2026, 16:30–17:45 CET (World Conference Center Bonn, Kaminzimmer Room, in-person only), "Action for Health, Equity and Resilience in the Global Climate Agenda: Progress from Recent COPs" brought together governments, negotiators, health experts, civil society, and youth voices to assess progress since COP28 and COP30 — including on the Belém Health Action Plan, ATACH, and the Global Goal on Adaptation — and set priorities for advancing health, equity, and climate resilience at COP31 in Antalya.
ATACH Strategic Meeting - 25 June 2026, Paris, France
The WHO-led Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH) brings together over 100 countries and over 100 partners prioritizing increased action on climate change and health at national level. The ATACH is mandated to identify and address country needs and priorities and to leverage the collective power of countries, partners and other stakeholders to drive this agenda forward at pace and scale. Under the Auspices of G7, Ministry of Health France hosted a full-day High-Level Strategic ATACH meeting in Paris, France on 25 June 2026. More details can be found here.
Pre-COP - 5–8 October 2026, Nadi, Fiji
Pre-COP process was hosted by Australia in partnership with Fiji, Tuvalu and Pacific partners, amplifying Pacific voices and priorities ahead of Antalya. The meeting focused on four priorities: 1) Keeping 1.5C withing reach, 2) advancing the connection between ocean and climate, 3) increasing access to climate finance, and 4) elevating Pacific voices and lived realities.