WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health

The Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, 30 October – 1 November 2018 is the first-ever global event to focus on both air pollution and health. It brings together ministers of health, environment, finance and development, as well as urban leaders, activists and scientists to discuss solutions to this global problem.

The Conference responds to a World Health Assembly mandate to combat one of the world’s most significant causes of premature mortality, causing some 7 million deaths annually. In most cities air pollution exceeds recommended WHO air quality levels, while household air pollution is a leading killer in poor rural and urban homes. Up to 1/3 of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease are due to air pollution. Affordable strategies exist to reduce key pollution emissions from the transport, energy, agriculture, waste and housing sectors; health-conscious strategies can help reduce climate change and support Sustainable Development Goals for Health, Energy and Cities.

The first part of the conference will present evidence, identify gaps and solutions, and will be targeted at practitioners and other technical and political representatives from the health sector and other sectors relevant to the discourse. The final day will be a High-Level Action Day. Cities and countries will be invited to join the BreatheLife campaign and commit to reducing air pollution by 2030 in line with WHO Air Quality Guidelines.

Markus Amann is an invited keynote speaker at Plenary session VI - Act on air pollution to achieve health and climate goals. The title of his presentation is "Main sources of air pollution and sectors for action on air pollution and climate change".

Side Event – Global launch of the Science-based solutions report on air pollution in the Asia-Pacific region

Dr. Amann will participate in this event to launch the Air Pollution in Asia and the Pacific: Science-based Solutions report published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and co-funded by the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) and Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). This is the first comprehensive, solution-oriented, interdisciplinary, scientific assessment of the air pollution outlook and policy measures in the Asia Pacific region. IIASA employed its GAINS model to identify the top 25 clean air measures that would reduce air pollution, benefit human health and the environment with regard to food security, air, water and soil quality, biodiversity and climate, while helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Last edited: 12 November 2018