UNICEF: Environmental issues pose threat to healthy development of children

A joint press conference on climate, health, and children was held in the Blue Zone of COP29 with WHO, UNICEF, and the Lancet Countdown organization.

According to Report, Abheet Solomon, head of UNICEF's Global Program for Healthy Environment for Healthy Children, stated that drought caused by climate change is a serious problem.

According to him, everyone bears responsibility to future generations for the climate actions:

"Drought leads to food problems. Water pollution, floods, and diseases caused by drought create dangers for children's healthy development."

The UNICEF official emphasized that the loss of biodiversity due to climate change also creates health risks: "Everything starts with children's health and well-being. Therefore, these problems need to be solved. We must prioritize children in climate policy, investment, and activities in this regard."

Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the WHO, noted that COP29 will also focus on protecting health in climate change conditions: "Polluted air and water are consequences of climate change, which leads to health problems. By improving the quality of the air we breathe, we can reduce the number of deaths that occur annually from this cause."