We support Member States’ commitment to promote R&D to detect, prevent, test for, and treat climate-sensitive diseases via the Climate Change and Health resolution, and support the reiteration of this commitment as an action area in the Global Plan of Action. We urge Member States to retain R&D as an action area and support its implementation.

For many climate-sensitive infectious diseases, including many NTDs, inadequate investment in medical R&D threatens the world’s ability to adapt to the effects of climate change. Availability of and equitable access to tools such as medicines, diagnostics, and vaccines to respond to these diseases are vital to adaptation efforts and building resilient health systems. Without concerted action and investment, these tools will not be available for all.

We ask Member States to also promote further research to establish the links between climate change and NTDs and support the development of indicators on climate-sensitive diseases as part of the GPoA.