Global Experts Stress Urgent Need To Address Climate And Environment-Linked Health Threats

During the Annual Meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025, experts highlighted the risks of insufficient investment in healthcare. Held from 14-16 October at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah, this event was organised by the UAE Government in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF). It gathered over 700 specialists from 93 countries across 37 councils to discuss sustainable futures and community well-being.

Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief of The National newspaper, led a session focusing on healthcare's global significance. Dr. Maha Barakat, Assistant Minister for Health and Life Sciences at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed the threat posed by new diseases transferring from animals to humans. She also highlighted chronic illnesses like diabetes and cancer as ongoing challenges.

The panel underscored that investing in healthcare is crucial for a nation's future. Dr. Barakat stated, "A healthy population is a prosperous one," emphasising that while vaccinations were pivotal in the 20th century, artificial intelligence will shape the 21st century. She noted that eradicating polio remains vital, especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Amit Bouri, CEO of the Global Impact Investing Network, USA, called for prioritising global health and societal well-being. He stressed that creating healthy societies should be an urgent focus for all stakeholders involved in healthcare development.

Damiano de Felice from CARB-X and Alison Holmes from Imperial College London discussed climate change as a significant threat to global health. They pointed out that public awareness of this issue is growing. They argued that relying solely on pharmaceuticals is insufficient; instead, more emphasis should be placed on water sanitation and disease prevention.

The experts agreed that this gathering in Dubai offers a vital platform to advance these priorities. They highlighted how private-sector collaboration can strengthen healthcare systems by expanding access to vaccines and essential medicines through local production and improved distribution networks.

Role of Impact Investors

The panelists collectively emphasised the role of impact investors in enhancing healthcare access. By investing in local production capacities and distribution systems, these investors can significantly improve vaccine availability and essential medicine access worldwide.

This meeting serves as a critical opportunity to push forward these initiatives, ensuring communities are better protected against health threats now and in the future.

With inputs from WAM