The World Health Organization (WHO) will present oral statements at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the critical intersection of climate change and global health. The address is scheduled for Friday, 13 December, from 15:00 to 15:30 CET.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Legal Counsel Derek Walton will participate in the ICJ’s public hearings on the “Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change.” Dr. Tedros will highlight the profound health implications of the climate crisis, while Mr. Walton will discuss legal and governance considerations.
The WHO emphasizes that the climate crisis is fundamentally a health crisis, with one in four global deaths linked to preventable environmental factors exacerbated by climate change. The organization has called for urgent action to address these escalating health risks.
The session will be livestreamed on UN WebTV and Dr. Tedros’ social media channels. A transcript of the WHO statements will be available on the organization’s website post-hearing.
The ICJ hearings, presided over by Judge Nawaf Salam, are being held from 2 to 13 December 2024 at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
