NABHI and Delta State Government Partner for Climate Resilience at COP28
For nearly two decades, Nurses Across the Borders (NABHI) has been at the forefront of the fight for climate justice and public health. As the first NGO from Nigeria to achieve Observer Status with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), NABHI’s leadership is undeniable.
This year, at COP28 in Dubai, NABHI, in collaboration with the Delta State Government (through the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC), hosted a impactful side event focused on a critical theme: “Building Partnership for the Promotion of Public Health through Ecological Restoration: What is at Stake?”
The event showcased NABHI’s longstanding commitment to integrating climate change discussions with public health, a connection that was often overlooked in the early years of the UNFCCC. Pastor Peters Omoragbon, President of NABHI, reflected on the organization’s 18 years of advocacy, emphasizing the initial challenge of highlighting the health sector’s vital role in climate change discussions.
He emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to climate action, urging a move away from the Ministry of Environment’s historical monopoly on climate issues. Omoragbon stressed the critical role of ministries like Health, Water, Energy, and Agriculture, highlighting their direct vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and the need for their active participation in international negotiations and in-country policy development.
The COP28 event signified a positive shift in this direction, with a dedicated day for health discussions and the active participation of health ministers. NABHI will build on this momentum by collaborating with stakeholders, including the Delta State Government, to advance the health agenda in post-COP28 climate policies and implementation.
This report [link to PDF download] details the achievements and collaborations of the COP28 side event, outlining the way forward for integrating public health into climate action and building a more sustainable and healthy future.
