27
Jan

Asia faces a unique convergence of demographic shifts and climate impacts. While some countries manage rapidly aging populations, others grapple with youth bulges—all amid intensifying climate hazards that threaten health system stability and infrastructure resilience. The economic implications are profound: climate-related health costs could reach $2-4 trillion annually by 2030 across Asia, with vulnerable populations bearing disproportionate burdens.

Development finance institutions are increasingly recognizing that climate-resilient health infrastructure is not just a social imperative but a critical investment in economic stability. ADB’s recent G20 High-Level Principles emphasize that building climate-resilient health systems requires locally-led, inclusive interventions. Similarly, AIIB’s focus on sustainable infrastructure and climate adaptation highlights the need for innovative financing mechanisms that can mobilize capital at scale while ensuring community ownership.

This session explores how community-driven approaches, combined with strategic partnerships across public, private, and philanthropic sectors, can create bankable, scalable solutions for climate-adaptive healthcare. By bringing together perspectives from major development banks, the Asia Health Leaders Coalition for Sustainable and Resilient Health Systems (AHLCSRHS)' diverse membership, and frontline implementers, we will examine practical pathways that address both infrastructure needs and service delivery challenges across diverse demographic contexts.

The convergence of development finance expertise, private sector innovation, and community insights offers unprecedented opportunities to transform climate-health challenges into sustainable investment opportunities that deliver both health outcomes and climate resilience.