Climate and Health in the Indo-Pacific: Resilience, Resources, and Risks

Welcome Address

Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President - Development Studies, Observer Research Foundation

Introduction to the Network

Swati Prabhu, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation 

Opening Remarks

Laurent Cortese, Head of Climate Finance and Energy Team, Agence Française de Développement (AFD)

PANEL 1 | Climate, Health, and the One Health Imperative in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific has recorded some of the most severe climate-related health challenges in recent years. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally, between 2030 and 2050, climate change could cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths annually from malnutrition, vector-borne diseases, and heat stress. With rising sea levelscontaminating freshwater supplies and increasing salinity in coastal areas, waterborne diseases are on the rise. Rising temperatures have already led to a 46 percent increase in heat-related mortality in the Indo-Pacific over the past two decades. Moreover, climate-induced disasters have directly impacted healthcare systems, as seen in the Pacific islands,where severe cyclones have destroyed medical infrastructure and limited access to essential services. Vulnerable populations including coastal communities, indigenous, and women, are disproportionately affected, with limited adaptation measures in place.

Despite increasing recognition of climate-health risks, policies remain fragmented due to institutional silos, inadequate funding for climate-resilient healthcare, and limitedcoordination between public health, environmental, and agricultural sectors. This panel will identify policy recommendations for financing mechanisms and technological solutions to strengthen health resilience, utilizing the lens of One Health. This approach recognizes that climate change is not only exacerbating direct human health risks but also disrupting ecosystems, altering disease transmission patterns, and increasing the risk of zoonotic spillovers. Addressing these interrelated threats requires an integrated response across human, animal, and environmental health sectors

Driving Questions:

• How can climate resilience strategies be effectively mainstreamed into healthcaresystems to address climate-induced health challenges?
• What role does the One Health approach play in mitigating the health impacts of climate change, and how can it be effectively integrated into public health policies?
• What role do international collaborations and development cooperation play in strengthening climate-health resilience in the region?
• What targeted strategies are needed to address the specific evolving health needs of vulnerable communities, including women, the elderly and indigenous peoples?

Speakers:

Prabhat Kumar, Social Policy Specialist & PME Focal, UNICEF Office for West Bengal

Ritika Kapoor, Climate Change and Health Specialist, Natural Resources Defence Council (virtual)

Upasona Ghosh, Associate Professor, Public Health Foundation of India

Thomas Gonnet, Regional Task Manager - Health and Social Protection, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) (Virtual)

Moderator

Aparna Roy, Fellow & Lead Climate Change and Energy, Observer Research Foundation

Break

PANEL 2 | Scaling Finance for the Climate-Health Nexus in the Indo-Pacific

Climate-vulnerable nations in the Indo-Pacific require urgent and substantial investments to build resilient healthcare systems amidst escalating climate risks. However, the significant financing shortfall impedes critical adaptation and healthcare resilience efforts. By 2030, the Indo-Pacific is projected to become the fastest-growing region in healthcare spending, accounting for over 20 per cent of global expenditures. The region's most climate-vulnerable nations face multiple barriers to accessing climate finance, including complex application processes, limited institutional capacity, and an overreliance on debt-based financing. Pacific Island nations, for example, receive less than 10 per cent of the climate finance they require annually to adapt to climate-related health risks. Mainstreaming climate considerations into national health priorities is essential to ensure long-term resilience. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, integrating climate risk assessments into public health strategies, and expanding access to sustainable financing for health adaptation are critical priorities. Financial institutions, like multilaterals, PDBs, and also national DFIs must also play a proactive role in designing tailored funding solutions that enhance healthcare resilience. This panel will explore innovative solutions, financing mechanisms and reforms in the policy landscape to unlock finance for climate-resilient healthcare systems in the Indo-Pacific.

Driving Questions

• How can climate finance be integrated into national health policies to ensure climate-resilient healthcare systems?
• What financing models can support the development of health infrastructure capable of withstanding climate-related shocks and extreme weather events?
• How can adaptation financing be leveraged to strengthen health resilience and preparedness for climate-induced public health crises?
• What role do regional and multilateral financial institutions play in expanding access to funding for climate-health adaptation?

Speakers

Madhav Joshi, CEO, India Health Fund

Himangi Bhardwaj, Head – Health and Lifesciences, Science and Technology Network, British High Commission (virtual)

Antara Ray, Director – Climate Resilience, PwC India

Vanshica Kant, Associate Investment Officer, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) (virtual)

Moderator

Swati Prabhu, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation

Closing Remarks

Shoba Suri, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation

Break