The climate crisis is among the greatest health challenges facing the world today. As temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, water- and vector-borne diseases are spreading further and faster, fueling outbreaks and straining health infrastructure and workforces. Climate change threatens to undo decades of progress in global health—and the world’s ability to achieve health for all.

The 2023 Reaching the Last Mile Forum will galvanize new momentum, innovation, and investment towards solving the climate-health challenges faced by last-mile communities. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the forum will convene global, frontline, and community leaders in support of advancing resilient health systems that leave no one behind.

Date: Sunday, December 3, 2023
Location: Expo City Dubai, UAE. Hosted within the COP28 Health Day.

The window to request an invitation has closed. To register as a virtual participant, please email: info@reachingthelastmile.com

Agenda

The forum agenda includes a morning plenary featuring a series of panel discussions, keynotes, and innovation spotlights exploring challenges to global health goals in the context of climate change.

Following the morning plenary, countries, partners, and donors will unite to announce transformative commitments and pledges in support of last-mile health and disease elimination efforts, reflecting COP28’s call to unite, act, and forge a healthier and more resilient future together.

  • Registration

  • Opening
    Attendees will be welcomed to the Reaching the Last Mile Forum, followed by a keynote.

  • Global Health in a Changing Climate
    Whether through exposure to extreme weather or shifts in the distribution of disease, the climate crisis is already putting lives and livelihoods at risk. But what evidence is available on the climate-health relationship, and which interventions should be prioritized to protect the communities most affected? Panelists will explore these questions and the opportunities available for action.

  • Keynote: Partnership in Climate-Health

  • Breaking the Silos on Climate-Sensitive Diseases
    In the era of climate change, a siloed approach to disease elimination will no longer be enough to counter the environmental and social factors that place communities at higher risk. The panel will weigh how we recognize and leverage the shared threat of climate change across disease areas to advance innovation, pool our learnings to adapt, and cross the last mile together.

  • Insights: 2023 World Malaria Report
    What can we expect as the world experiences the more pronounced effects of climate change? In this spotlight session, speakers will share insights from the newly-released World Malaria Report to offer a snapshot of current trends and progress in global malaria control and elimination efforts.

  • Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems
    Climate change is increasing pressure on healthcare systems already straining under disease outbreaks, new conflicts, and uncertainty. Drawing on experience across geographies, and with a special focus on the role of community health workers, panelists will discuss what has worked—and what has not—in efforts to deliver equitable healthcare and reach last-mile communities.

  • Brunch

  • Leadership Remarks

  • Innovation Spotlight

  • Keynote

  • Financing the Last Mile
    The establishment of Health Day at COP28 signals that the world is ready to face the challenges of climate and health together. But where will funding come from, how will it be directed and, critically, are the incentives in place to invest in joint climate-health outcomes? In this final morning session, perspectives will align and collide on how best to leverage financing to accelerate climate and health goals.

  • Closing Remarks

  • High-level announcements, pledging moments, and the Recognizing Excellence Around Champions of Health (REACH) Awards

Speakers

Dr Michael Adekunle Charles
CEO
RBM Partnership to End Malaria
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Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Director General
World Health Organization
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H.E. Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy
Minister of State for International Cooperation
UAE
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H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan
Cabinet Member and Minister of State
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE
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Tala Al Ramahi
Chief Strategy Officer
Reaching the Last Mile
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H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri
Minister of Climate Change and Environment
UAE
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Mohammad Jamal Alsaati
Special Advisor to the President
Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
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H.E. Dr Maha Taysir Barakat
Assistant Minister for Medical Affairs and Life Sciences
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE
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Dr Priya Basu
Executive Head, Pandemic Fund
World Bank
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Simon Bland, CBE
CEO
Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE)
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Amit Bouri
Co-Founder and CEO
Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
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Dr Katey Einterz Owen
Director, Neglected Tropical Diseases;
Director, Vaccine Development Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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Thoko Elphick-Pooley
Executive Director
Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases
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Dr Angela Gichaga
CEO, Financing Alliance for Health;ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
Co-Executive Director; Africa Frontline First
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Eleni Giokos
Anchor and Correspondent
CNN
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Sir Christopher Hohn
Founder
Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)
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Dr Kashef Ijaz
Chair, International Task Force for Disease Eradication;ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
Vice President for Health Programs, The Carter Center
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Maywand Jabarkhyl
CEO
Fatima Bint Mohamed bin Zayed Initiative
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Badr Jafar
COP28 Special Representative for Business and Philanthropy
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Dr Jean Kaseya
Director General
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Former President of Liberia
Member of The Elders
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Dr Vanessa Kerry
Special Envoy Climate Change and Health
World Health Organization
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Ms Desta Lakew
Group Director of Partnerships and External Affairs
Amref Health Africa
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Vanina Laurent-Ledru
Director-General
Foundation S - The Sanofi Collective
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Tsitsi Masiyiwa
Co-Founder and Chair
Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies
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Lisha McCormick
CEO
Last Mile Health
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Dr Alaa Murabit
Director, Global Health, Global Policy, Advocacy and Communications
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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Dr Daniel Ngamije M.
Director, Global Malaria Programme
World Health Organization
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Senator Dr Sania Nishtar
Member
Pakistan Senate
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Professor Scott O'Neill
CEO
World Mosquito Program
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Makoy Samuel Yibi Logora
Director, Guinea Worm Eradication Program
South Sudan Ministry of Health
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Peter Sands
Executive Director
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
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Aloyce Urassa
Chair
African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Youth Advisory Council
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Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun-Githae
Climate Finance & Biodiversity Champion
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Elizabeth Wathuti
Founder
Green Generation Initiative
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Elizabeth Yee
Executive Vice President of Programs
The Rockefeller Foundation
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