PMNCH spotlights intersectoral financing to leverage co-benefits for climate and women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health

On 15 January 2026, global experts convened in Geneva at the World Meteorological Organization for a meeting on The impact of heat exposure on maternal, newborn and child health: identifying priority actions and indicators. The session brought together representatives from WHO, WMO, UNICEF, academic institutions and partner organizations to advance coordinated action on climate and health. 

A key highlight of the day was the opening session on Intersectoral financing and financing schemes to leverage co-benefits for MNCH and climate, featuring a presentation by Dr Etienne Langlois from PMNCH. The presentation underscored the urgency of moving beyond siloed funding approaches and showcased opportunities to align climate, development financing and women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health. By prioritizing these issues, and highlighting sexual and reproductive rights within these frameworks, the session demonstrated how intersectoral schemes can deliver measurable, rights-based outcomes for women, children, and adolescents, including the most vulnerable communities. 

Throughout the day, discussions explored practical tools and frameworks, from heat-health plans and risk governance to adaptation interventions in health facilities and country-level policy pathways. The engagement from key stakeholders reflected a growing consensus: climate action and WCAH priorities must be planned and financed together.

This work aligns closely with the new PMNCH 2026–2030 Strategy, which reaffirms PMNCH’s commitment to championing integrated, equity-driven approaches and positioning women’s and children’s health at the heart of climate and development agendas.