By 2050, annual climate change death toll projected to reach 250,000

WHO predicts an increase in deaths by approximately 250,000 per year through 2050 due to rising diseases associated with climate change, said Ailan Li, Assistant Director-General and Head of the Department for Universal Health Coverage and Population Health Improvement at the World Health Organization (WHO)

Ailan Li said the situation will worsen if the global community continues its usual lifestyle without taking any action. "Climate change is one of the biggest threats to health and sustainable development in our time," she said.

Li stated that, according to research, only 0.5% of allocated funds are directed towards healthcare financing.

"Countries most vulnerable to climate impacts, unfortunately, have the least funds to finance climate actions," she emphasized, noting that healthcare institutions in developing countries cannot respond to challenges due to lack of funding.

In conclusion, Li highly praised Azerbaijan's chairmanship of COP29, expressing hope for active cooperation from the international community and swift implementation of climate initiatives for healthcare system sustainability.