Over 20 WHO Western Pacific Member States gather in Singapore to address healthcare sector’s role in contributing to, and tackling, the climate crisis

Singapore, 18 September 2025 – Globally, 5% of total climate emissions come from the healthcare sector, contributing to the ever-mounting global threat of climate change. To address this specific challenge, the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office and the Centre for Sustainable Medicine at the National University of Singapore convened representatives from more than 20 Asia-Pacific countries* to chart a roadmap to transform the region’s healthcare systems to adapt to the changing climate, lower their carbon emissions, and become more environmentally sustainable.  

The Inaugural Western Pacific Action Forum on Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems spotlighted the urgent need to invest in climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems – a win-win strategy that helps protect lives, strengthens national preparedness against multiple hazards, and reduces costs through sustainable and efficient measures.

Climate-resilient health systems reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events, natural hazards, disease outbreaks and compound crises. Most health system carbon emissions stem from supply chain activities. Measuring baseline emissions can generate efficiency and savings that may be reinvested to protect health. Integrated approaches not only improve health outcomes but also support national climate and development goals.  

The WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, through its Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health, is working with Member States to strengthen and expand the global Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH). Malaysia recently became the eleventh country in the Region to join ATACH, swiftly followed by the Cook Islands as the twelfth, reinforcing regional momentum.

Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, opened the Forum with a strong call to action, stating, “The climate crisis is projected to cause an additional 250 000 deaths every year between 2030 and 2050. Investing in climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems is therefore one of the smartest, and possibly one of the least complex, choices we can make. It saves lives today while preparing our communities, and the health systems that safeguard them, for the future.”

Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information, and Ministry of National Development, Singapore, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to climate action in the health sector. “Singapore is taking steps to lower our healthcare sector emissions … The actions we take will not only safeguard the health of our people but also strengthen the resilience and sustainability of our healthcare system in the face of mounting climate change challenges. By working closely together, we can transform the way healthcare is delivered, creating a healthier future for both people and planet.”

Stressing the importance of collaboration across sectors, Dr Susan Mercado, Director for Programme Management, WHO Western Pacific, emphasized, “The Forum provided us with an opportunity for countries to share experiences and learn from one another. Almost 99% of the world’s population breathes air with pollution levels exceeding WHO air quality limits, reminding us that no country is immune. Regional collaboration, recognizing that all countries are ultimately connected, is key to accelerating climate and health action.”

The Forum aimed to foster policy and budgetary commitments to embed climate resilience and low-carbon strategies into national health system planning and implementation. Over two days in Singapore, participants engaged in technical sessions, policy dialogue and knowledge exchange designed to inspire solutions, strengthen partnerships and accelerate implementation.

Professor Nick Watts, the Director of the Centre for Sustainable Medicine at the National University of Singapore, spoke about the broader vision, stressing, “This is not only about protecting people’s health but also about contributing to climate and development goals, especially with the finish line of the Sustainable Development Goals barely five years away. A healthier, more resilient future is still possible if we act together.”

*Countries participating in the Forum are (in alphabetical order):

Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Viet Nam

About WHO ACE
The WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health (ACE), based in Seoul, Republic of Korea, supports 38 WHO Member States and areas in addressing the health impacts of climate change and environmental risks, and in building resilient, sustainable health systems.

About ATACH
Established at COP26 in 2022, the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) brings together over 90 WHO Member States and more than 80 partners. The Alliance supports countries in building climate-resilient, sustainable, and low-carbon health systems, advancing climate–health priorities and advocating for health-promoting climate action across all sectors.

Today, on the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, the Palestine Forum of New Zealand (PFNZ) joins people around the world in calling for an end to war, violence, and injustice.

This year’s theme is a stark reminder that peace is more than the absence of conflict — it is the presence of freedom, dignity, and justice. For Palestinians, however, peace remains an unfulfilled promise. Over seven decades of dispossession, ongoing occupation, daily violence, and apartheid policies have denied Palestinians the most basic right to live in peace.

“The world cannot talk about peace while ignoring the injustice inflicted on Palestine,” said Maher Nazzal. “We call on the New Zealand government and the international community to act with courage and clarity: there can be no peace without ending Israel’s occupation, lifting the siege on Gaza, and recognising Palestine’s right to self-determination.”

PFNZ stresses that New Zealand’s proud history of standing for justice, from opposing apartheid in South Africa to championing nuclear disarmament, demands that we also speak up for Palestine today.

On this International Day of Peace, we urge New Zealanders to:

• Support efforts for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

• Call on our government to recognise the State of Palestine.

• Stand in solidarity with Palestinians striving for freedom and justice.

True peace will only come when Palestine is free.

Maher Nazzal
Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Covering period of Saturday 20th – Sunday 21st September – At 9:58am MetService escalated the severe weather warning in the Canterbury High Country to a Red Warning for Damaging Winds in consultation with the Canterbury Regional Council.

MetService Red Warnings are reserved for the most extreme weather events where significant impact and disruption is expected.

The escalation to a Red Warning comes as the South Island prepares for the arrival of an active front with very strong and damaging northwesterly winds, as well as heavy rain.

The Red Warning is in place from 10pm tonight (Saturday) to 3pm on Sunday during which severe gales with speeds of 150 km/h are possible in exposed areas.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says, “Destructive winds are expected to cause widespread damage, including to roofs, powerlines and may impact on power supply. Falling trees may threaten life and property. The winds will also create dangerous driving conditions and disruption to transport. Travellers, especially as school holidays get going, are advised to plan for potential disruptions.”

“A Red Warning signifies that people need to act now as immediate action is required to protect people, animals and property from the impact of the weather. People should also be prepared to follow the advice of official authorities and emergency services.”

This is the third Red Warning MetService has issued this year, and it’s the 18thRed Warning weather event since the highest alert level was introduced back in May 2019.

The strong winds are not confined to the Canterbury High Country. Nearly all of the South Island is under Orange Warning for Strong Winds late Saturday to Sunday, with winds of 120 km/h possible in exposed areas. In the North Island, Wellington is also under an Orange Warning for Strong Winds.

In addition, heavy rain is expected along western parts of the South Island, as well as the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers where Orange Warnings for Heavy Rain are in place.

Details of the Severe Weather Warnings and Watches can be found on the MetService app or on our webpage:  https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home.

MetService also now provides push notifications for Red Severe Weather Warnings via our app.  More information can be found here about enabling them.

Source: Royal New Zealand RSA

A taste of home is on its way to every member of the New Zealand Defence Force deployed overseas this Christmas, thanks to the Royal New Zealand RSA.

For 85 years, the RNZRSA has sent Christmas parcels to deployed personnel, and while the content has changed over the years – the sentiment at the heart of them remains the same.

This year 150 parcels have been sent to deployments around the world including the Republic of Korea, South Sudan, Egypt, the Middle East and Antarctica.

The parcels were packed near Trentham Military Camp yesterday by a busy production line of `elves’ including the Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies, RNZRSA National President Sir Wayne Shelford, staff from the RNZRSA’s National Office and volunteers from the New Zealand Defence Force.  

Christmas boxes were filled with treats and Kiwi classics donated by the wonderful team from Pams. Each box also contained a poppy and cards handmade by students from Mt Cook and Silverstream Primary Schools in Wellington, to let those serving overseas know the country's thoughts are with them. 

RNZRSA National President, Sir Wayne Shelford said the parcels are designed to let New Zealand’s service men and women know they are not alone at Christmas time.

“It’s hard for anyone to be away from family at Christmas, but for our deployed service men and women they’re also facing uncertain circumstances and may have limited communication.

For 85 years the RSA has sent these Christmas parcels to show our defence personnel how grateful we are for their sacrifice, and to let them know how much we value them.”

Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies said that these small packages make a big difference to those away from home at Christmas.

“Deployments come with many challenges, not least of which is being separated from family and loved ones. These packages really do help our people feel connected at Christmas time – and we’re grateful to the RSA for their continued support.”

Background

The RSA is incredibly grateful for the generosity of Pams New Zealand and Packaging Products. Pams donate the majority of goodies inside the parcels, and this year included items such as packets of lollies, roasted and salted deluxe nut mix, scorched almonds, packets of biscuits and much more. Packaging Products print and donate the boxes the goodies are packed into.

Source: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi

The National Iwi Chairs Forum and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi are today announcing that on the 28^th of October there will be a national day of solidarity, Rā Whakamana, to reaffirm the tino rangatiratanga of Tangata Whenua and protect the rights and wellbeing of all workers.

The 28^th of October carries deep meaning – it marks the signing of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni and the first Labour Day demonstrations in 1890 that helped secure the eight-hour working day.

Iwi, unions, and activist groups are calling for mass mobilisations across the country at 12pm on 28 October to send a powerful message that we will not back down in the face of the Government’s ongoing attacks on our people.

“Rā Whakamana is a tikanga-led stand for cultural wellbeing, dignity, workers’ rights, mana wāhine, rangatahi, and tino rangatiratanga – guided by iwi leadership in partnership with the union movement,” said iwi spokesperson Dr Kenneth Kennedy.

“Despite the defeat of the Treaty Principles Bill, this Government continues its anti-Tiriti and anti-worker agenda. They are undermining Te Tiriti o Waitangi, removing Treaty clauses from law, pushing the Regulatory Standards Bill, blocking pay equity for wāhine, and eroding workers’ rights and protections while costs keep rising,” said iwi spokesperson Na Raihania.

“Rā Whakamana is about keeping the pressure on. We will continue to mobilise and disrupt until this Government stops attacking Māori, dividing communities, and damaging the cultural health and safety of Māori workers,” said union spokesperson Laures Park.

“Together as iwi, as unions, as Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti, we are not just resisting, we are creating a future where tino rangatiratanga is real for everyone and Te Tiriti o Waitangi unites all communities,” said union spokesperson Grant Williams.

Rā Whakamana is the first time that iwi and unions have collaborated on a national scale. Events will be held across the country.