The Asian Development Bank and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare co-organized the event with the goal of aligning the health sector's development with the Paris Agreement goals and building climate-neutral and resilient health systems under the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa, was also present.
Parshottam Rupala emphasized the necessity of a 'One Health' approach that recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health in his talk. He underlined the message of the Prime Minister that, regardless of geographical boundaries, all humanity is part of the same cosmos. Rupala emphasized the importance of the health sector, especially animal health, reducing its contribution to climate change and strengthening surveillance of animal-related diseases to avoid health problems.
He emphasized that improving animal health and applying a One Health strategy can aid in the prevention and control of zoonotic illnesses, which have serious consequences for animal welfare, economic output, and human health.
India's G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the interconnectivity of many concerns such as climate change, healthcare, and poverty. He emphasized that the pandemic has demonstrated how health and climate change are inextricably linked, with the Global South being particularly vulnerable due to the burden of communicable illnesses and resource restrictions.
According to the G20 India Sherpa, India has achieved considerable progress in the healthcare sector and has become the world's pharmacy, with digital efforts such as telemedicine and teleconsultations providing sustainable solutions for a climate-resilient healthcare model. "India's digital initiatives, such as telemedicine and teleconsultations, are long-term solutions for a climate-resilient healthcare model," he said.
The potential of India's Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative in providing timely surveillance of zoonotic illnesses was underlined by Rajesh K Singh, Union Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying. Lav Agarwal, Additional Secretary, Health Ministry, emphasized the importance of a 'One Health' strategy to mitigating the effects of climate change and addressing the links between climate change and health holistically.
Prioritising the health sector, according to Ramesh Subramaniam, Director General, Southeast Asia Department, ADB, can bring synergistic solutions to meet both global health and climate goals at the same time, and institutions like the Asian Development Bank look forward to working with member countries to support this. Senior Union Government officials, including Takeo Konishi, Country Director, ADB India, Sungsup Ra, Chief Sector Officer, ADB, and other dignitaries, attended the ceremony.
