Our team participated in a significant UNFCCC side event, “Mainstreaming Climate Change Disaster Risk into Healthcare Delivery.” This event was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in collaboration with Nurses Across Borders International and the World Health Organization. The session emphasized the urgent need to address disparities in disaster risk management capacities between developing and developed nations. Discussions focused on strengthening the health sector’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related disasters.
Moderated by Mr. Peters Omoragbon, Nigeria’s permanent observer to the UN, the panel included Dr. Ebun Akinsete, Senior Researcher at AE4RIA, who discussed strategies for enhancing the resilience of climate adaptation planning within healthcare systems, emphasizing systemic approaches and capacity development. Prof. Phoebe Koundouri, Director of AE4RIA, delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the importance of innovative financial approaches, such as valuing natural capital as an asset, to ensure adequate funding for adaptation and mitigation initiatives in the global south.