About the Forum 2024
Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the harmful effects of climate change. The effects are disproportionate, given that Africa has about 17% of the world’s population but contributes to only 4% of greenhouse gas emissions. According to the latest report by the Australian think tank, the “Institute for Economics and Peace” 7 out of 8 countries with the highest ecological risk worldwide are located in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Climate change is making millions of people sick or more vulnerable to diseases, and it is increasing the destructive effect of extreme weather events that disproportionately impact poor and marginalized communities”, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General (COP 27).
If no measures are taken:
- Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause around 250,000 additional deaths per year due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress (WHO).
Moreover,
- According to the UN, more than 37 million people suffer from hunger in the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya).
- Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health: clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure housing.
- In vulnerable communities, people are faced with the urgent need to reorganize the supply and use of key health services.
Discussions will mainly focus on the above themes throughout this year’s Galien Forum Africa.
GOAL OF THE FORUM
Since the first edition in 2018, the Galien Forum Africa has been working to strengthen research and sustainable development by sharing experiences in the face of major public health issues. Indeed, the Galien Forum Africa offers a platform for high-level scientific exchanges on issues of common interest, on the health priorities of our continent. It is an opportunity to share lessons learned, to discuss challenges and perspectives.
THEME AND SUB-THEMES
This year, the main theme of the Forum is “Health and community actions under climate and environmental crisis in Africa”
The panels will focus on various sub-themes and will provide an opportunity to assess the progress made and, above all, to make recommendations to mitigate the health impacts of climate and environmental change.
CONDUCT OF THE FORUM AGENDA
The organization will take place in a hybrid way (face-to-face and virtual):
- (i) the youth forum, the women’s forum and the scientific forum, during which international experts will speak on the subject, will be held face-to-face and will also be accessible in webinars. Interaction between virtual participants and those present will be easy. There will also be time for questions and answers from the audience.
- (ii) The Prix Galien Africa 2024 award ceremony will be held in a in-person format.
Highlights will be reported on YouTube and through social networks.
PARTICIPANTS
For the 2024 edition, more than 3,000 participants are expected from all over the world. They include Nobel Prize winners, political leaders, experts, researchers, students, community leaders, doctors, social anthropologists, biologists, innovators, investors, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, etc.