22 August 2008: The Inter-ministerial Conference for Health and Environment in Africa, which will take place from 26-29 August 2008 in
Libreville, Gabon, is organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the
UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with the host Government. The
Conference is scheduled to explore the evidence base for the bi-directional
links between health and environment, including the threat posed by climate
change to the health of communities in the region.

The event is based on the estimate
that 25% of the disease burden in Africa may be associated with environmental
changes, such as air pollution, unsafe water supplies, inadequate sanitation,
ecosystem degradation and climate change. The Conference aims to secure
political commitment for catalyzing the policy, institutional and investment
changes required to reduce environmental threats to health, in support of
sustainable development. [IISDRS
Coverage] [UNEP press release, 22 August 2008]