India and ADB's Delhi Climate Change and Health Hub

India and ADB Collaborate to Establish Climate Change and Health Hub in Delhi

India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have unveiled plans to jointly create a climate change and health hub in New Delhi. This initiative follows India's recent achievement in securing the inaugural World Health Organization (WHO) Centre for Global Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Asian Development Bank (ADB):

Founded in 1966, ADB is a global institution dedicated to fostering development in its member nations, particularly by alleviating poverty and enhancing living standards. Operating from its headquarters in Manila, ADB derives financial support from 68 member countries, with major shares held by the United States and Japan. ADB holds official United Nations Observer status and allocates voting rights based on capital contributions.

WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM):

Situated in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the GCTM is a pioneering knowledge hub for traditional medicine, backed by India's substantial investment of around $250 million. The GCTM pursues five principal objectives: curating a comprehensive traditional knowledge database through technology, formulating global standards for testing and certifying traditional medicinal practices, fostering international collaboration among traditional medicine experts, securing funding for research in traditional medicine, and creating protocols for holistic treatment that combines traditional and modern medical approaches.

The Climate Change and Health Hub:

The collaborative endeavor between India and ADB results in the establishment of a climate change and health hub in New Delhi. This platform serves as a nexus for discussions and knowledge exchange concerning the intricate interplay between climate change and public health. The recently published G-20 outcome document accentuates the symbiotic relationship between climate change and health crises, underscoring the potential for climate shifts to exacerbate infectious disease outbreaks and intensify the occurrence of natural disasters. Consequently, urgent measures are required to fortify healthcare systems against the repercussions of climate change.

India's Commitment and Focus:

In response to these challenges, India's commitments encompass a multifaceted approach: prioritizing the development of climate-resilient healthcare systems, establishing sustainable, low-carbon healthcare infrastructures, mobilizing resources to bolster resilient and sustainable healthcare practices, and fostering collaborative initiatives such as the WHO-led Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH). Notably, the recent G-20 Health Ministers' meeting highlighted concerns related to zoonotic disease spill-overs, emphasizing the need for a scientifically grounded strategy to identify and address the drivers of disease outbreaks.

The Hub's Significance:

The forthcoming Climate Change and Health Hub in New Delhi is poised to assume a pivotal role in addressing these global challenges. By providing a collaborative platform, the hub will facilitate countries worldwide in pooling their efforts to devise effective solutions.

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