The Third Interministerial Conference on Health and Environment (IMCHE3) opens today at Angondje, Conference Centre in Libreville, Gabon. African Ministers of health and environment will meet from 6 to 9 November to discuss how to turn health and environmental policies into action.
In the African region 23% of deaths are linked to the environment, which is the highest for any region in the world on a per capita basis (deaths per 100 000). While the continent has long been plagued by problems relating to access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor infrastructure, pollution, new environmental threats have emerged, including climate change and rapid and unplanned urbanization.
The conference, jointly organized by the government of Gabon, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Environment aims to identify emerging environmental threats to people’s health and agree on a strategic action plan for the region.
“From the air we breathe to the water we drink, to the places we live and work the environment is intimately linked to our health,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa. “Unfortunately for millions of Africans, the environment can make them sick and even kill them. With climate change this is likely to only get worse. We must urgently turn this situation around.”
Nearly 300 delegates including Health, Environment and Finance Ministers, as well as representatives from regional political and economic organizations, multilateral agencies and scientific experts from 54 countries in Africa will participate in the Conference.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti WHO Regional Director for Africa
Welcome message of the WHO Regional Director
I welcome you to the 3rd Interministerial Conference of Health and Environment co-organized by the government of Gabon, WHO and UNEP here in Libreville, Gabon. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to his Excellency Mr. Ali Bongo, President of the Republic of Gabon and to the Gabonese people, for the hospitality and the excellent arrangements made for this meeting.
Our continent faces a number of public health and environment issues which challenge health security in the Region. This conference will take stock of progress made so far and set the course for future action. Delegates will identify emerging issues and threats related to health and the environment, as well as options for creating an environment conducive to healthy people in Africa
The outcomes of the conference include a strategic action plan to increase the coverage of health and environment interventions; a commitment by African governments and stakeholders to intensify joint health and environment policies and actions; and the identification of opportunities for access to investment and domestic resource mobilization to finance priority health and environment interventions.
This year, the daily WHO Journal will be provided to delegates electronically only. A nearly paperless conference is one of our modest contributions to saving our planet. The WHO Secretariat is at your disposal for any assistance needed during this Conference.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti
WHO Regional Director for Africa
To watch the opening video of the conference, please click below:
Opening Ceremony: 6th November 2018
MEETING OF EXPERTS
Tuesday, 06th November
08:00-09:00
Arrival Registration of participants
09:00-10:00
Opening Session
Welcome and introductory remarks: Mr Tony Engouma, Master of Ceremony, Gabon
Welcome remarks: Mr Jacques Denis Tsanga, Ministre des Eaux et Forêts, chargé de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable
Remarks: Dr. Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, UNEP Regional Director
Remarks: Dr Matshidiso Rebecca MOETI, WHO Regional Director
Official opening statement: Mrs Denise MEKAM’NE EDZIDZI, Ministre d’Etat, Ministre de la Santé
10:00-10:45
Group Photo & Coffee
Libreville Declaration 2008 plus 10: What do you declare?
Commitments to supporting critical actions at the intersection of health and environment in Africa will be taking place in various forms this week in Libreville. The WHO Africa Regional Office's "I Declare" social media campaign is taking place at the Third Interministerial Conference on Health and Environment in Africa (IMCHE3) - 10 years following the Libreville Declaration of 2008. In-between keynote presentations and plenary discussions, African leaders in the health and environment sectors, as well as non-profit organizations, media representatives and members of civil society have an opportunity to express personal commitments to improving health and the environment in Africa. Participants can choose from ten commitment cards and pose for a selfie in front of a colourful wall banner, then share this selfie across their social media networks with the hashtag #Librevilleplus10. It's one simple and fun act that can have a big impact. From a fairly personal action, like “stop using single-use plastics", to wider reaching policy implications, such as supporting "a greener and healthier Africa”, one thing is certain: this week in Libreville is about recognizing the important link between health and the environment.
E-Journal
The WHO Secretariat of IMCHE3 will publish a daily Electronic Journal (eJournal) during the conference. The easy-to-use eJournal is designed to improve interactions with our readers and to reach a wider readership. It offers features such as built-in videos, photo galleries and audio recordings. The eJournal will be distributed in the three WHO working languages namely English, French and Portuguese. The eJournal can be accessed by email on all computers, mobile phones, iPads and all types of mobile devices at any time during the Health and Environment Conference. Inquiries about the e-journal including suggestions for improvement should be sent to Phyllis Jiri on jirip@who.int
