Nearly 600 scientists, business leaders, philanthropists and health experts gathered in Bangkok to accelerate action protecting livelihoods from extreme heat. The Global Heat Forum, convened by the World Meteorological Organization and partners, highlighted rising heat risks across Asia, Europe and North America, with new temperature records straining infrastructure, farms and homes.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged every city to adopt heat action plans by 2030, integrating health, housing, energy and transport systems. He noted that while some cities have established plans and worker protections, developing nations lack support to meet the growing threat. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned that El Niño patterns are intensifying heat, with new daytime and overnight temperature records exceeding design limits for buildings and farms.

The forum launched several tools to support heat resilience: a Global evidence report on heat and health, a Burning Questions guide addressing common policy queries, and What Works Against Heat, a platform rating 80 interventions based on evidence, cost and environmental impact. Roadmaps for investment and action were presented ahead of COP31 in Antalya, alongside country-level heat assessments for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal.

Experts emphasized the urgency of scaling early warning systems, which could protect 1.5 billion people and prevent nearly 100,000 deaths annually. Dr. Naveen Rao of the Rockefeller Foundation described extreme heat as a health emergency that will overwhelm clinics and erode safety nets without intervention. Dr. Madeleine Thomson of Wellcome called for targeted action to protect pregnant women and newborns, who face heightened risks but receive inadequate support.

Professor Kristie Ebi of the University of Washington noted that heat already causes avoidable illness and death worldwide, with interventions proven to reduce risks. Professor Ollie Jay of the University of Sydney highlighted that What Works Against Heat provides climate-specific guidance for planners, rating measures by evidence strength, cost and effectiveness.

The event, running through 9 October during Bangkok Climate Action Week, brought together funders, researchers and civil society leaders to advance adaptation as a long-term social and economic priority. Media inquiries can be directed to WMO contacts via mediaghhin.org.