Institute of Development Studies 33d ago

In February 2026, the first HeatNexus Global Symposium was convened in Kuala Lumpur, co-hosted by the Monash University Malaysia and the Institute of Development Studies, with support from the Wellcome Trust. Under the theme “Advancing Science and Partnerships for Action,” the symposium brought together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society to explore practical responses to rising heat-related health risks across low- and middle-income countries. The programme featured presentations from nine HeatNexus research projects testing heat adaptation interventions, alongside a high-level expert panel on protecting vulnerable populations in a hotter world, and a keynote from Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood. The symposium highlighted the urgent need for stronger climate-health partnerships, equitable adaptation strategies, and scalable solutions that connect research with real-world decision-making.