Climate Change and Public Health – the Environment’s Impact on Infectious Diseases
12 November 2025
Venue: Park Avenue Rochester Hotel, Singapore
Scope & Purpose
The term “Climate Change” has become a common subject of discussion, even in our everyday conversations. These environmental changes pose significant risks to human health; however, the impact of Climate Change on public health, including infectious diseases and outbreaks, has received minimal attention, despite its profound effects on our lives. No region in the world is immune to the health effects of Climate Change, with consequences observed in diverse areas such as Asia and Europe. The shifting burden of diseases, influenced by Climate Change, is evident on both continents, with dengue fever serving as a notable example.
Rising temperatures can alter the disease burden, and potentially contribute to the emergence of the next pandemic. While urgent actions are necessary to prevent catastrophic health impacts stemming from Climate Change, not much is being done or discussed. Alarming data from academic research should be made more visible to the public and should directly influence related policies. To address this issue, we need to foster dialogue that connects academia and policymakers to help shape the agenda.
On 12 November 2025, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH), National University of Singapore (NUS), are jointly organising an evening panel discussion and networking dinner to generate much-needed dialogue to address Climate Change and Infectious Diseases.
The evening will explore how climate change impacts public health, creating space for intersectoral dialogue while diving deeper into impacts of climate change on health within the distinct contexts of Asia and Europe. The event will also address the associated challenges for public health policy and examine strategies to effectively address these emerging health threats across both continents.
This event marks the ASEF Public Health Network’s (ASEF PHN) first engagement on the climate and health nexus. In collaboration with SSHSPH, the event aims to serve as an introductory point for ASEF to this increasingly critical field in the public health community. It will gather a diverse audience bridging accessible discussions with in-depth insights.
Event Objectives:
Raise Awareness: Enhance understanding of how climate change is driving infectious disease risks across Asia and Europe, highlighting real-world implications for public health systems and communities.
Foster Cross-Regional Dialogue: Facilitate meaningful exchange between Asian and European experts to identify shared vulnerabilities, compare adaptation strategies, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Bridge Science and Policy: Create platforms for intersectoral dialogue that connects academic research with policy implementation, ensuring evidence-based approaches to climate-health challenges.
Examine Strategic Responses: Discuss adaptive strategies and policy approaches to effectively address climate-driven health challenges across different regional contexts.
Build Networks: Strengthen connections between researchers, policymakers, and public health professionals to facilitate ongoing dialogue and knowledge exchange on climate-health issues.
Organisers
Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) & ASEF Public Health Network (ASEF PHN)
The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)[1], founded in 1997, is an intergovernmental not-for-profit organisation representing the 53 ASEM Partners[2]: 30 European and 21 Asian countries, plus the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat. Following the 6th ASEM Summit (ASEM6; 2006; Helsinki, Finland), where the leaders expressed their determination to combat avian influenza and a possible human influenza pandemic, the ASEM Initiative for the Rapid Containment of Pandemic Influenza, financially supported by the Government of Japan, was officially launched at the 9th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM FMM9; 2009; Hanoi, Viet Nam). Since then, the 2 components of the Initiative (ASEM Stockpiling of Anti-viral Drugs and Personal Protective Equipment, as well as ASEF Public Health Network) have contributed to strengthening ASEM Partners’ capacity to manage public health emergencies.
Co-Organiser
SSHSPH
Building upon decades of experience in research, training and practice in epidemiology and public health, the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH), National University of Singapore, was established in October 2011 as Singapore’s first and only national public health tertiary education institution. The School is also a member of the National University Health System (NUHS). The School aims to continually foster healthier communities in Singapore and the region, and impact public health programmes and policies through its robust educational programmes and translational cross-disciplinary research work on cohort studies and life course epidemiology, infectious disease research, health technology assessments, health promotion, workplace safety and health, health systems evaluation and health services research. An interdisciplinary approach, augmented by rigorous training, applicable research and regional partnerships, places SSHSPH at the forefront of public health knowledge discovery and practice in Asia. The School actively collaborates with many partners including the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Harvard School of Public Health and University of Michigan School of Public Health. Its flagship programme, the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, attracts students from a wide range of disciplines from within Singapore and throughout the region.
ASEF PHN is financially supported by the Government of Japan
