Special Representative on Climate Change Ainur Argynbekova addresses the recent OSCE PA Winter Meeting in ViennaCOPENHAGEN, 7 April 2026 – On the occasion of World Health Day 2026, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Climate Change Ainur Argynbekova (Kazakhstan) underscored the growing impact of climate change on public health and reaffirmed the need for science-based and co-operative action across the OSCE region.
This year’s World Health Day, observed under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science,” highlights the importance of evidence-based policymaking, international co-operation, and trust in science in addressing complex global challenges, including the interconnected risks posed by climate change.
“Climate change, together with human-driven pressures such as pollution, is increasingly affecting health outcomes across our region,” the Special Representative stated. “Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, air pollution, water scarcity, and climate-sensitive diseases are already impacting communities and straining health systems, especially for those most at risk.”
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has always called for urgent, co-ordinated, and science-based action, including through stronger international co-operation, enhanced resilience, and the alignment of policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“Standing with science means translating knowledge into concrete policy action,” Special Representative Argynbekova added. “Parliamentarians have a key responsibility to ensure that climate and health considerations are fully integrated into national and regional strategies, including by supporting resilient health systems, and addressing the root causes of climate-related risks. Protecting public health in the context of climate change is a shared responsibility, and by working together, we can build healthier, more resilient, and more secure societies for present and future generations.”
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