Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED)

The environmental impact on human health will become more critical in the future. By 2050, it is estimated that 68 percent (about 650 million) of the Arab population will be living in urban areas, often characterized by heavy traffic, polluted air, poor housing, limited access to water and sanitation services, noise pollution, besides other challenges. Emerging issues, mainly climate change and loss of biodiversity, will exacerbate the impact of environmental factors on human health.

The AFED 2020 conference and report aims to discuss the main environmental drivers which have a major impact on various aspects of human health in the Arab countries, and propose an action plan leading to a holistic implementation of the Health factor within the SDGs. This will be done within the integrated context of sustainable development, by tackling health in terms of social, economic, and environmental aspects.