Question 1

​Climate Change, Environment, and Health​

Accepted Answer

Climate change is one of the significant global challenges facing our planet. It is affecting every country on every continent, leading to alarming changes in global temperature, air quality, food security, nutrition, clean water, and the prevalence and transmission of infectious diseases. However, climate change does not impact every individual or every country equally, and it widens the inequality gap within and across countries, affecting vulnerable groups the most. The Institute is diligently working on an urgent and proactive approach towards mitigation and adaptation strategies. We are mobilizing scholars, policy advisors, and think tanks in various low- and middle-income countries to create a sustainable future roadmap. Our efforts are particularly focused on the potential of climate change to jeopardize health and health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Climate justice is an extremely important priority on the Agenda 2030.

Question 2

Gender Equality and Maternal & Child Health

Accepted Answer

This thematic area is dedicated to exploring mothers' and children's health, nutrition, and the role of gender in influencing​ health outcomes. It will also explore methods to address these challenges for advocacy guided towards policy makers, civil society, research and academia professionals, and students pursuing these disciplines .​

Question 3

Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition​

Accepted Answer

For over 30 years, the Aga Khan Development Network has been committed to reducing poverty, ensuring food security, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and their families in remote and fragile geographies. This approach to development has been widely adapted and replicated, positively impacting the lives of over 8 million people in poor, rural areas. The main pillars of this initiative involve: Participatory Governance: Empowering communities to direct their own development, ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth. Agricultural Assistance: Collaborating with farmers to improve yields and agricultural productivity. Enterprise Development and Employable Skills: Supplementing farm-based incomes with additional economic opportunities. Natural Resource Management: Promoting equitable water use and restoring degraded land. Financial Inclusion: Implementing measures to smooth erratic incomes. Rural Infrastructure Development: Building bridges, drinking water systems, and irrigation canals to improve the quality of life. As these programs continue to evolve, they are also addressing emerging challenges such as rapidly changing demography, climate change, and unpredictable geopolitical circumstances.

Question 4

Health and Health-related Sustainable Development Goals

Accepted Answer

Sustainable Development Goal 3 focuses on ensuring good health and well-being for all at all ages. It addresses critical epidemics like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and hepatitis, while promoting universal health coverage and strengthening health systems for better access to higher quality care. The timeline for meeting targets in SDG 3 is set for 2030. Progress towards SDG 3 has faced challenges, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has put immense strain on global healthcare systems. The Institute's activities leverage AKU's capacities to bring stakeholders together and address these enormous challenges, with a primary focus on vulnerable groups, including mothers, infants, young children, adolescents, and populations affected by violence and crises in low- and middle-income countries.

The Institute for Global Health and Development

Our Four Pillars of Research

IGHD Director Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta Speaks at Panel Discussion

The Institute for Global Health and Development​

Our Four Pillars of Research

IGHD Director Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta Speaks at Panel Discussion

The Institute for Global Health and Development