Prof. Dr. Zahide Esra Durak, Director of our Vocational School, participated as an academic speaker in an international panel organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Türkiye Country Office as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) held in Antalya.

The panel, organized within the scope of the "Strengthening the Capacity of the Ministry of Health to Mitigate the Adverse Health Impacts of Climate Change" Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the World Health Organization in cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health, addressed the health impacts of climate change through international collaboration and scientific approaches.

Under the title "Climate Change Is Now in the Clinic: Heat, Smoke and Mosquitoes – How Is Türkiye Protecting Health in a Changing Climate Through the One Health Approach?", the panel explored rising temperatures, wildfire smoke, vector-borne infectious diseases, and the effects of changing climatic conditions on public health from the perspective of the One Health approach.

During the session, attended by representatives of the World Health Organization and international experts from various disciplines, Prof. Dr. Durak shared scientific insights based on her academic expertise in medical biochemistry and One Health. Her contributions focused on the early identification of climate-related health risks, strengthening epidemiological surveillance systems, the integrated assessment of health data, and the importance of intersectoral collaboration.

Emphasizing that human, animal, and environmental health cannot be considered independently of one another, Prof. Dr. Durak highlighted the critical role of evidence-based policies, early warning mechanisms, and interdisciplinary cooperation in building climate-resilient health systems. She also stressed the importance of actively involving young scientists and healthcare professionals in addressing climate change and transforming academic knowledge into tangible benefits for society.

The panel also gained international visibility through photographs and news coverage shared on the official social media accounts of the World Health Organization (WHO) Türkiye Country Office and the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye. Prof. Dr. Durak's participation as an academic speaker in this significant event further strengthened Gazi University's academic presence on international scientific platforms while contributing to scientific knowledge exchange and the development of international cooperation in the fields of climate change, public health, and One Health.