The 10th Focal Point Forum of the Nairobi work programme (NWP) was held in conjunction with the 45th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) in Marrakech, Morocco.

Focus of the 10th Focal Point Forum

The 10th Focal Point Forum focused on the topic of health and adaptation, in accordance with the outcomes of SBSTA 44 (cf. paragraph 15b of the SBSTA 44 report). The Focal Point Forum was informed by submissions contributed by Parties, NWP partner organizations and other relevant organizations. Contributions to the call for submission were expected by August 29. The call for submission included the following topics:

• Changes in the geographical distribution of diseases;

• New and emerging diseases including tropical diseases and their impacts on social and economic structures;

• Issues of malnutrition, waterborne diseases, vector-borne diseases and disaster impacts;

• Effects of climate change on health and productivity in the workplace, with implications for occupational health, safety and social protection. 

Submissions

As at November 3, 2016, 14 Parties had contributed submissions: Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Zimbabwe. As a group of Parties, the European Union also contributed a submission.

To access submissions contributed by Parties, click here.

As at November 3, 2016, 12 NWP partners and relevant organizations had contributed submissions: University of Washington Center for Health and the Global Environment (CHanGE),  Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), HEAT-SHIELD Consortium, Health and Environment International Trust (HEIT), Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), Nepal Health Research Council, Ora Taiao, Statens Serum Institut, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR),World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO) and  World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

To access submissions contributed by NWP partners and relevant organizations, click here.

For an overview of the main results of the submissions, please see the following document.

The Focal Point Forum provided the opportunity for UNFCCC national focal points, NWP focal points and relevant health experts to discuss the results of the submissions and emerging issues. Particular attention was given to discussing new actions that could respond to key challenges in the area of climate impacts on human health. As a follow up to the forum, the secretariat will facilitate dialogue between interested organizations, Parties and individual experts, with a view to implementing actions discussed during the event.  

The submissions’ key findings, including good practices and lessons learned, as well as the outcomes of the Focal Point Forum discussion, will be captured in a synthesis report. This synthesis document will be considered by Parties at SBSTA 46 (May 2017).

Agenda 

For a brief summary of the event, please see the meeting coverage provided by the International Institute for Sustainable Development here.