Second WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health concludes with powerful commitments to protect public health

The Second WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health has concluded with major commitments from over 50 countries, cities and organizations ready to tackle air pollution and safeguard health.

Jointly organized with the Government of Colombia, it brought together more than 700 participants from 100 countries, including government representatives, UN agencies, civil society, scientists, and health societies, to accelerate action on air pollution and public health.

A shared goal to reduce the health impacts by 50% by 2040 was agreed upon to save millions of lives every year. Furthermore, new funding pledges and policies were proposed as commitments.

At the high-level session, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, urged leaders to respond to a global call to action: “It is time to move from commitments to bold commitments. To achieve clean air, we need urgent actions on all fronts: financial investment in sustainable solutions, such as in clean energy and sustainable transport; technical enforcement of WHO global air quality guidelines; and social commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our most polluted regions.”

Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, attended the high-level day of the Conference, emphasizing Colombia’s determination in the fight against air pollution: “Air pollution claims more victims than violence itself. Poisoning our air costs lives in silence – this conference reinforces our determination to implement policies for both the environment and the health of our people.”

Among the pledges made during the Conference, countries, UN agencies and civil society organizations demonstrated commitment towards the right path.

The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia,Lena Yanina Estrada Añokazi, committed to strengthening efforts across sectors to address air pollution through actions in surveillance and public health. The country will support initiatives that improve air quality, promote a clean energy transition by advancing clean technologies in industry and transportation, and develop early warning systems for wildfire prevention and mitigation.
Spain committed to achieve a carbon-neutral health-care system by 2050 through emission reduction, multi-sectoral collaboration and promoting innovation.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reaffirmed its commitment to tackling air pollution by chairing the Forum for International Cooperation on Air Pollution (FICAP), setting health-based PM2.5 (fine particulate matter 2.5) targets, and launching a comprehensive air quality strategy. This will include stricter standards, improved public access to air pollution data, and community engagement. The United Kingdom also committed to support Africa’s air quality efforts.
Brazil is committed to strengthening interministerial cooperation advancing key initiatives, the establishment of the National Air Quality Policy, the updating of air quality standards based on WHO guidelines as a Legal Framework, and the monitoring of the impact of these initiatives on reducing mortality that is due to exposure to air pollution.
China is committed to stronger air quality standards, smarter health protection systems, and enhanced international cooperation. The country will continue its efforts to achieve national environmental and climate goals for 2030, 2050, and 2060.

On behalf of the co-chairs of C40 cities, representing almost 100 of the world’s biggest cities, the Deputy Mayor of London, Mete Coban, committed to reducing air pollution, and supporting WHO’s 2040 target and roadmap, and called on other national governments to expand investments in clean air solutions, strengthen air quality monitoring systems, and recognize cities as key partners in developing and implementing clean air strategies.

The Clean Air Fund (CAF) committed to continuing to support WHO in demonstrating the benefits of life-saving clean air actions. It also committed to allocate an additional US$ 90 million over the next two years for climate and health efforts.

Pledges from health associations and civil society organizations included support for the integration of air pollution and the health of the planet into medical education and equipping health-care professionals with the knowledge and tools to address its health impacts.

“The commitments made at this Conference demonstrate the global momentum to address air pollution as a critical public health issue,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization. “WHO remains dedicated to supporting countries in translating these commitments into concrete actions that protect lives and promote well-being.”

With a strong foundation of commitments and partnerships, the global community is now better positioned to drive meaningful change in the coming years.