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FIND intervention statement at the G20 High-level Meeting on climate change, health and equity

Delivered by Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, FIND, Chief Transformation Officer/CEO
30 October 2024, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Thank you, Chair.

FIND congratulates the Brazilian G20 Presidency for prioritizing the issue of climate change, health equity and one health. The Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change and Health Equity, and on the One Health Approach underscores the G20’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis and its impact on health.

It is critical to translate this commitment into action. The climate crisis is driving the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria, cholera, and dengue fever, hitting vulnerable communities in low- and middle-income countries the hardest. As these diseases become more prevalent, diagnostics will be our first line of defense to protect those at greatest risk. Tools like FIND’s Pathogen Diagnostic Readiness Index can play a crucial role in strengthening global diagnostic readiness by assessing capabilities, identifying investment gaps, and enabling policymakers to prioritize resources to enhance preparedness against emerging diseases.

To ensure meaningful progress, we call on the G20 to:

  • Invest in developing climate-resilient diagnostic tools that can be deployed in low-resource settings.
  • Prioritize environmentally sustainable diagnostic technologies that minimize the use of plastics and eliminate toxic reagents.
  • Strengthen regional manufacturing capacity to secure a sustainable, rapid, and reliable supply of diagnostics, reducing dependencies, response times and CO2 emissions from procurement pathways. In this regard, we welcome the establishment of the Coalition on Regional and Local Production, Innovation and Equitable Access and extend our support to ensure its success.
  • Establish integrated surveillance systems that support a coordinated One Health approach, connecting human, animal, and environmental health to ensure a comprehensive response to emerging threats.
  • Guarantee equitable access to affordable, high-quality testing, so that vulnerable communities are not left behind in the global response to climate-impacted diseases.

By advancing these measures, the G20 can help build a more resilient, equitable, and effective global health system. As South Africa takes on the mantle of the Presidency next year, African leadership must prioritize addressing the climate crisis to drive sustainable development and improve health outcomes for all.

Thank you.