by invitation only
Air pollution is a health risk for 99% of the world’s population. It is a major risk for ill health throughout the life course. From the womb to old age, strong evidence indicates breathing polluted air negatively impacts the respiratory and cardiovascular health of individuals and a growing body of evidence, showing links between air pollution exposure and a myriad of other health conditions including cognitive development, mental health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, pneumonia and COVID-19.
In 2024, WHO will host the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health. This stakeholder consultation is an opportunity to look ahead to the conference themes and consider learnings since the inaugural global conference in 2018.
Tackling air pollution to protect public health requires coordinated policy action across different sectors. Member States and sub-national entities are typically responsible for implementing and monitoring policies to promote air quality for health. Successful policies and solid governance depend on coordination between various stakeholders and sectors.
This consultation will examine effective actions and interventions at different scales: citizen action, health sector engagement, multisector actions in local settings, and intergovernmental cooperation. The interventions by panelists will highlight their success stories of leveraging the health argument to drive policy action and the steps taken to make it happen.
Following these interventions, WHO will share its Strategic Approach for Air Quality, Energy Access and Health which outlines concrete actions for 2023-2030 to strengthen WHO’s efforts to protect populations from health risks. This strategy and the 2024 global conference on air pollution and health, lay the groundwork for an updated roadmap for countries to take action on clean air.
Draft Agenda:
| 8:30 – 8:40 | Opening and introduction Maria Neira, WHO |
| 8:40 – 9:20 | Perspectives on clean air action |
(i) Intergovernmental cooperation Francesca Bernadini Veronica Manfredi (ii) Multisectoral action Country representative tbc (iii) Health sector leadership Mohamed Eissa (iv) Intergovernmental cooperation Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah | |
| 9:20 – 9:30 | Collective action for clean air |
| WHO representative Overview of WHO air quality guidelines WHO’s strategic approach on air pollution and health WHO’s 2024 Conference on Air Pollution, Energy Access and Health | |
| 9:30 – 9:45 | Panel discussion Moderator: Maria Neira, WHO |
| 9:45 – 9:55 | Open Q&A from the floor |
| 9:55 – 10:00 | Concluding remarks Clean Air Fund |
Format: The stakeholder consultation features a panel discussion with speakers discussing their role and experiences in clean air action at different levels. The event includes an overview presentation of WHO strategy and activities to support the implementation of WHO air quality guidelines. Following the panel discussion, a question-and-answer session will take place, prior to concluding remarks.
Expected outcome: Actionable ideas for policy measures that align incentives across sectors at different scales, reducing health impacts of air pollution and mitigating climate change.
Contact: Air Quality and Health Unit, [email protected]