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Asia-Pacific Leaders Gather In Jakarta To Tackle Health And Environmental Challenges

Ministers and senior officials from the Asia-Pacific region are gathering for the 12th High-Level Officials Meeting (HLOM) and the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Health and Environment (APRFHE). This event is taking place at Swissôtel PIK Avenue in Jakarta, Indonesia, from September 24 to 26, 2024.

The meeting is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The aim is to strengthen regional cooperation and develop sustainable solutions to tackle major challenges in health and the environment.

A key focus of this gathering is to enhance the connection between health and environmental issues, providing a collaborative platform for countries to address various challenges like climate change and public health threats.

Addressing Health and Environmental Synergy

The event will feature ministers and senior officials from member countries, along with representatives from WHO, UNEP, FAO, and other international organizations. Over the three days of APRFHE, they will discuss urgent topics such as climate adaptation and resilience, pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and pandemic preparedness.

Leaders will also explore the integration of health and environmental policies to promote sustainable development, reflecting the interconnected nature of these challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I hope that over the next few days, we can exchange knowledge and best practices to tackle the existing environmental and health challenges, while strengthening collaboration and networks to innovate solutions for mitigating future environmental and health threats,” said Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Buwono during the opening of the 12th APRFHE on Tuesday, September 24.

The Director General of Pollution Control and Environmental Damage, Sigit Reliantoro, mentioned that the APRFHE regional forum isn't just about highlighting urgent health and environmental issues; it's also about boosting collaboration in the region to tackle these challenges effectively.

"Our forum needs to stay agile, constantly reflecting and recalibrating for stronger and better collaboration within the APRFHE framework," he said.

He believes this approach will enhance the regional forum's actions across all strategic, priority, and technical issues related to APRFHE, allowing for the exchange of successful strategies and innovative solutions.

"This is also expected to serve as a crucial framework to advance collaborative efforts towards achieving development goals and the SDGs across the region," he explained.

Finally, he expressed gratitude for the active participation of delegates in the entire process of developing the Jakarta Declaration. In line with the HLOM implementation, he encouraged ongoing involvement from member countries throughout the two-day HLOM event.

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Tag: Indonesia Jakarta Swissôtel PIK Avenue United Nations Environment Programme