PHAM 2024 Takes Center Stage at Sunway University, First in Asia

The Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) is a consortium comprising more than 400 universities, NGOs, research institutes, and government entities, all dedicated to advancing planetary health - a field that focuses on understanding the interconnectedness between human health, the health of ecosystems, and the stability of the planet's natural systems.

As part of its mission to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange, PHA organizes an annual meeting known as the Planetary Health Annual Meeting (PHAM). This year marks the sixth edition of PHAM, co-hosted by the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health at Sunway University.

Sunway University, renowned for its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, serves as the ideal venue for this event.  The decision to hold PHAM in Asia for the first time underscores the growing recognition of the region's crucial role in addressing global environmental challenges.

With its diverse range of ecosystems and rapid economic development, urbanization, and environmental degradation, Asia serves as a critical focal point for planetary health research and action.

Held every 18 months, PHAM 2024 adopts the theme "From Evidence to Action: Confronting Reality." Taking place from April 16-19, the summit will be organized at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University.

This summit brings together scientists, policymakers, educators, civil society and NGOs, private sector representatives, and concerned citizens. Their goal is to foster connections, exchange ideas, and collaborate in amplifying the momentum of the decade-long planetary health movement.

Professor Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, the executive director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, emphasized that the prosperity of human civilization hinges on the well-being of our planet.

Hence, Sunway University acknowledges the necessity of taking swift action in addressing human activities that detrimentally affect natural systems.

(Sunway Centre for Planetary Health executive director Professor Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood)

“Sunway University recognises that we need to act now. While we are pleased that we are able to host this event at the university, we are convinced that this summit must not be simply a talking shop or purely an opportunity to showcase Malaysia.

“We are here to work, to debate issues essential to the ability of the planet and people thrive together.”

She further explained, "“At this 6th Planetary Health Annual Meeting, the message will be clear: Science must be transformational, crafted for action, and communicated in ways understandable to the public and accessible and useful to decision-makers."

Moreover, the event will feature the launch of three publications, which are the Planet Saving Meals Cookbook, the Planetary Health Playbook designed for children, and a Planetary Health Roadmap. The aspirations arising from the meeting will be captured in a Kuala Lumpur Caal to Action on Planetary Health, to be issued on April 19th.  

Apart from hosting PHAM 2024, Sunway University has also incorporated the value of sustainability into their educational framework. The institution integrates the importance and activities of sustainability through the subjects offered.

This initiative encourages students to understand their social responsibility and contribute to societal and environmental well-being. Consequently, Sunway University will continue to produce young generations who leave a positive impact on the community and the environment.

More info about Sunway University

Sunway University is a leading not-for-profit private university committed to the pursuit of education through scholarship, research and enterprise. It is ranked among the top 2% of universities in Asia and rated as a 5-star institution by Quacquarelli Symonds.

The University has also been awarded a 5-Star rating in the SETARA 2017 assessment of Malaysian Higher Education Institutions, and is one of only eleven universities in Malaysia to be awarded the Premier Digital Technology University status by the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

The university is committed to multi-disciplinary research in sustainable development within an urban environment, and promoting health, well-being, and the development of new technologies in addressing some of the world’s most pressing problems.