Egypt’s Minister of Planning & Economic Development attends WHO’s a virtual symposium

Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Hala El-Said participated recently in a virtual symposium organized by the World Health Organization entitled "Can economies help solve the climate crisis and achieve health for all?".
During her speech, Dr. Hala El-Said stressed the importance of the role of civil society, which is the cornerstone of all development efforts.
She further stressed that the human and economic costs of climate change are enormous.
She noted that with the escalation of climate challenges and the push of ecosystems beyond borders, the world will find it more difficult to achieve sustainable development goals.
 El-Said pointed out that COP 27 provides a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to discuss and confront the challenges and move from the stage of discussion and thinking to the stage of implementation and solutions faster.
El-Said noted that health and climate change are intertwined and cannot be thought of independently, as both require unprecedented coordination and a radical shift in action.



 El-Said stressed that the climate crisis will have serious consequences on human life and health, noting that nearly 25% of deaths worldwide are caused by dangerous environmental factors, and estimates are getting worse with the increase in the effects of climate change.The Minister of Planning and Economic Development stressed that it is important for health systems to be more prepared for the impacts of climate change.
 El-Said said that the focus on climate resilience should be integrated into the strategic planning of the health sector, to reduce its contribution to greenhouse gases (GHGs) and ensure more sustainable services.
"Transitioning to clean energy, more sustainable food systems, and clean transportation systems can yield health benefits." She said.
Dr. Hala El-Said said that the successive challenges require a new approach to economic thinking, noting that the Economic Council of the World Health Organization is a pioneer in this.
 She stressed the importance of the new approach to ensure that we go in the direction needed to address the climate and health crises, and to ensure that the development model promoted by international institutions is geared towards the health of people and the planet.El-Said added that this is the guiding principle of Egypt's Vision 2030, in which climate issues are integrated into all development agendas, as reflected in the important Egyptian presidential initiative "A Decent Life", which seeks to change the lives of citizens in the countryside.
In concluding her speech, Dr. Hala El-Said referred to the vital role that civil society plays in facing the most difficult challenges.
El-Said noted that the Egyptian government will work to ensure that the voice of civil society is heard and encourage talks with it in the lead-up to COP27 to ensure their views are properly represented during the negotiations.