Statement by India on “Impact of Climate Change on Public Health” at the 78th Session of World Health Assembly (WHA 78) delivered by Ms. Anupama Singh, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India
Geneva, 27 May 2025
Madam Chair,
India fully acknowledges the profound impact of climate change on public health. Environmental stewardship is rooted in our cultural ethos, and we have demonstrated strong global leadership through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Global Biofuels Alliance, and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
We view the Draft Global action Plan on Climate Change and Health as non-binding. Legal obligations must stem from established treaties, and key terms like “clean” and “sustainable” require clear, universally agreed definitions to avoid ambiguity.
India remains steadfast in addressing health impacts of climate change. However, any global plan must align with existing international agreements under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement. Central to this is the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), which safeguards equity and fairness in global climate action.
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