Leading @WHO’s work on climate, environment and health across Asia & Pacific | Medical doctor & associate professor | Ex @Harvard, @netflix & @VicHealth
Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Let there be no mistake. The single, most powerful way to prepare for the next pandemic is to invest in the longterm health of our people. With a focus on reducing inequities.
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Dr Sandro Demaio retweeted
Climate action is health action. 🌏🏥
Cleaner energy, resilient communities and sustainable systems are already improving health across our region.
With support from @RockefellerFdn and the Pathfinder Initiative, WHO’s Climate and Health Co-benefits Challenge is now open.
Watch and explore how you can join the Challenge.👇
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Media release: 🚨
With Asia and the Pacific on the front lines of the climate crisis, @WHO unveils an ambitious blueprint for action on climate and health.
who.int/westernpacific/news/…
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Last week at Korea’s National Assembly, I had the privilege of co-hosting a roundtable with Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. Jiho Cha.
Together with national and international experts, we explored how climate adaptation, sea-level rise, and AI intersect.
linkedin.com/posts/sandrodem…
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Up to 5% of climate emissions come from healthcare. A new coalition of Asia-Pacific countries, backed by @WHO, plans to change that. who.int/westernpacific/news/…
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Dr Sandro Demaio retweeted
A simple gesture - a profound message.
The Korean finger-heart 🫰, symbolizing love and care.
In this case, dedication, commitment and partnership aimed at strengthening health and well-being across Asia and the Pacific.
A joy interacting in Seoul 🇰🇷 today with Ju-min Park - President of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health and Chairperson of the RoK National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee - along with former APPFGH President Dr Jiho Cha and parliamentarian Dr Yoon Kim.
From hosting @WHO's Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health (ACE) to playing a key role in APPFGH, the Republic of Korea underscores the link between regional & global #HealthSecurity, the #ClimateCrisis and health equity - seeking to lift up disadvantaged communities and nations alike, in a bid to leave no one behind.
In our discussions today, we explored further strengthening and expanding our joint work - seeking to bring in more nations into the APPFGH fold.
As well, multilateral health diplomacy - including the platform of 'peace through health', seeking to protect health through preventing, ending or otherwise mitigating the impacts of conflict and war.
APPFGH, founded in 2015 with @WHO support, comprises of several Member States of the WHO Western Pacific Region and @ASEAN - the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - with @WHOWPRO serving as the secretariat.
Learn more about its important work:
who.int/westernpacific/about…
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Join us online or in person, as we table one of the most pressing challenges of our age — the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on health and justice.
🇺🇳 Next week in Fiji, at the UN Environment Programme Forum.
➡️ events.teams.microsoft.com/e…
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Dr Sandro Demaio retweeted
In the wake of today’s massive 8.8 quake and several aftershocks off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, huge swathes of the @WHO Western Pacific Region - and beyond - are under a #tsunami warning.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued alerts for nearly all Pacific Rim countries, including in Central and South America.
Entire communities in numerous coastal areas have been urged to evacuate to higher ground.
We at @WHOWPRO and our Country Offices are in close touch with health emergency authorities and networks in our Member States - monitoring the situation and prepared to provide any support that may be needed as the situation unfolds.
bbc.com/news/live/c3r4x9yrrg…
#TsunamiWatch #tsunamiwarnings
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Dr Sandro Demaio retweeted
To clean up the capital’s air, the Prime Minister instructed the Hà Nội People’s Committee to roll out a clear roadmap to eliminate fossil-fuel motorbikes and mopeds within Ring Road 1 – which covers most of the inner and historical areas – by mid-2026.
vietnamnews.vn/society/17212…
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Dr Sandro Demaio retweeted
Today, 12 July, we celebrate the International #DayofHope for the first time.
We recognize Kiribati 🇰🇮 for shining a light on this critical matter as they led this historical resolution adopted by the UN on 4 March 2025.
Like many Pacific Island nations across the Region, Kiribati is at the front lines of #ClimateChange – facing multiple threats from rising sea levels and extreme weather events – and its compounding impact on health and mental wellness.
Now, more than ever, hope that is backed by science is necessary: to heal, to inspire, and to rebuild.
Let’s all choose hope. ✨
ALT A graphic with a blue sky background, white clouds, and a yellow sun in the top right corner. The text reads: "DID YOU KNOW? On 4 March 2025, Kiribati led the historical UN resolution designating 12 July as the International Day of Hope." Below this text is a large yellow box with the words "International Day of Hope" in black font.
ALT The image features a quote from Teburoro Tito, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Kiribati to the UN, against a blue sky background with white clouds and a yellow sun in the top left corner. The quote says, "As leaders, we must ensure that our citizens are equipped with the tools to withstand future crises, be they pandemics, economic hardships, or climate disasters. We must provide them with the assurance that they are not alone, that hope remains, and that we, as a global family, stand in solidarity.”
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Join us for this interactive session – a space to listen, exchange insights and explore how @WHO can best support and strengthen ongoing efforts in this area.
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Dr Sandro Demaio retweeted
Thank you 🇰🇷!! 🙏🏻
Thank you, Government of the Republic of Korea 🇰🇷! For🔟years, your support to @WHO has enabled real progress in the delivery of safe and effective medical products in #VietNam🇻🇳
Patients of all ages and health-care professionals need to know that medicines, vaccines and medical devices are safe, effective and legally authorized. That’s the job of national regulatory agencies. Since 2015, the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, through WHO, has supported Viet Nam to strengthen these agencies.
🙏🏼WHO is enormously grateful for the generous support of the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, including during the #COVID19 #pandemic, to help ensure people have access to safe and high-quality medicines, vaccines and medical devices. With this support, Viet Nam has been able to build its capacity to prevent and respond to health emergencies, regulate more effectively, improve its manufacturing and procurement to avoid stock-outs, develop the Pharmaceutical Law and much more.
The result: a safer and healthier Viet Nam! Read more about our collaboration⬇️ tinyurl.com/37w4uxj8
ALT A laboratory technician prepares slides to examine under a microscope. Photo: L Pham / WHO.
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Dr Sandro Demaio retweeted
Are you visiting a #TraditionalMarket this weekend?
Reduce health risks by following these 5️⃣ keys to #StaySafe in traditional markets:
✅ Maintain good personal hygiene habits in market facilities
✅ Don't mix raw and ready-to-eat foods
✅ Reduce contact with animals 🐔🐐🐖
✅ Avoid crowds/keep a safe distance from others
✅ Store food products at the right temperatures 🌡️
#WorldFoodSafetyDay
ALT Illustrations of the five keys to stay safe in traditional markets
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Dr Sandro Demaio retweeted
🌏 This World Environment Day, @WHO, @UNDPVietnam and @UNICEF_vietnam are joining hands for clean air, and a sustainable and prosperous #VietNam 🇻🇳
💪🏼The very highest levels of Government are leading with unprecedented commitment to addressing #airpollution. It will take time to reduce emissions – such as from transport, industry, waste management and agriculture. But we are calling for action now:
✅Enhanced #airquality monitoring and management to protect the public during severe pollution.
✅Clear protocols to reduce exposure, especially for children, outdoor workers, older people and people with chronic conditions such as asthma.
✅Training key workers (such as in health, education and aged care) on measures to protect vulnerable groups.
✅Public awareness campaigns so caregivers, teachers and communities know the dangers and how they can protect themselves.
✅Advocacy to address the sources of exposure and reduce risks.
💙Let’s work together – across Government, the private sector, civil society, media and communities – to make clean air a reality for everyone.
Read the #WED opinion piece: tinyurl.com/yyt4tt4w
ALT Smoke from rubbish fires drifts across greenery and towards walking path and housing.
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At WHA78 in Geneva, Dr Sokhna Thiam of @aphrc reminded us:
Climate action must be rooted in justice — and justice must centre health, especially for those who will inherit the world we shape today. 🌍🩺
#WHA78 #ClimateJustice #HealthForAll
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Dr Sandro Demaio retweeted
🇰🇭 2,150 measles cases were reported in #Cambodia from January to April 2025.
@WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in the #measles outbreak immunization response for children aged 6 months–14 years, with health workers reaching even the most remote communities to ensure no child is left unprotected.
Learn more: bit.ly/3SxJ4BJ
ALT A child held by her mother is being given measles vaccine by a health worker
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Dr Sandro Demaio retweeted
A truly historic evening at the #WHA78: the #PandemicAccord resolution was approved in Committee A with 124 in favour, 0 against and 11 abstentions.
The final step: adoption in plenary tomorrow morning.
My thanks once again to @WHO Member States for choosing to keep the world safer. 🙏
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Packed house for a brilliant side event on climate change and health — happening now at #WHA78 in Geneva. 🌍
Climate change is a health threat and OPPORTUNITY.
It’s time for climate action! 🌿
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