Joint media release: Supporting action on climate change and health in the Pacific and Southeast Asia

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Ged Kearney MP

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Josh Wilson MP

The Albanese Government is making a multimillion-dollar investment and partnering with countries in the Pacific region to address the health impacts of climate change.

With more frequent and extreme climate events, climate change presents a serious health and wellbeing challenge to Australia and the Pacific region. The World Health Organization has described climate change as the greatest threat to global health.

The Government’s new $2.5 million Pacific Climate and Health Resilience Package will support Pacific countries to build more resilient and equitable public health systems, by strengthening regional coordination and enhancing Pacific leadership on climate change issues.

Australia is also providing $4.5 million to the World Mosquito Program to improve control of mosquito-borne illnesses in Timor-Leste, Kiribati and Indonesia.

This commitment addresses the increased risk of serious illnesses, including dengue and zika, as climate change affects rainfall patterns and mosquito distribution in our region.

These activities are funded through the Government’s $620 million Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, which is working with governments and communities across the Pacific and Southeast Asia to build resilient and inclusive health systems.

Today’s announcement will support implementation of Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy, which was launched at the 28th United Nations Climate Conference (COP28).

The Strategy brings together actions from across government to set out an ambitious vision for healthy, climate-resilient communities, and sustainable, resilient, high-quality, net zero health systems.

Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“The Pacific is at the forefront of the climate change threat.

“Australia is proud to be part of the Pacific family. This new support reaffirms that we are listening and working together to address the challenges of climate change.

“This new partnership will ensure we have the right foundations, so we can continue to work together to keep our region healthy and resilient in the face of climate change.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Ged Kearney MP:

“Across the world, health systems are being put to the test by climate change. Labor’s National Health and Climate Strategy is strengthening our system at home and today we’re supporting our Pacific neighbours to do the same.

“From high heat, to rising sea levels and increased risk of serious illness, we know our region is already feeling the health impacts of climate change. Today’s package delivers on our intent to cooperate with our closest neighbours for a healthy, strong region.

“We will continue our work in the region to address the breadth of challenges climate change presents to the health of people and the resilience of communities.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Josh Wilson MP:

“Climate change presents the single greatest threat to the wellbeing of people everywhere, with low-lying Pacific atoll states and Asia’s great delta and coastal cities facing acute challenges.

“Australia’s new $7 million contribution to strengthening health systems in the Pacific and Southeast Asia is another example of the Albanese Government’s strong partnership with the region to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.”