Source: WHO
Context: The Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health was hosted by WHO and the Government of Colombia in Cartagena in March 2025.
- It aimed to build global support to halve deaths due to air pollution by 2040 from 2015 levels.
About the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health:
- What is it?
- A high-level international platform by the World Health Organization to address air pollution, energy poverty, and public health through multi-sectoral, evidence-based strategies.
- Hosted at: Cartagena, Colombia.
- Organisations Involved: WHO, UN partners, Global health institutions, and Civil society and research bodies
- Key objectives:
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- Reduce Global Mortality: Commit to halving air pollution-related deaths by 2040 through science-based and coordinated policy action.
- Advance Health Research: Share cutting-edge findings on air pollution’s impact on brain development, mental health, and children’s health to guide informed decisions.
- Promote Equity & Co-Benefits: Highlight the interlinked benefits of clean air for climate action, gender justice, and public health equity.
- Support Just Energy Transition: Address energy poverty by advocating for clean, affordable energy access, and empower cities to align with WHO Air Quality Guidelines.
- Inspire Global Action: Showcase successful policies like London’s ULEZ and push global stakeholders to join the BreatheLife campaign and commit to targets for 2030.
About First Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health:
- Held: 30 October – 1 November 2018
- Venue: WHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
- Aim: Launch a global agenda for air pollution mitigation as a public health imperative.
