📅 5 – 7 September 2022
Suwon, Republic of Korea
Polluted air is creating a health emergency. Air pollution remains one of the world’s largest environmental threats to human health. Almost everyone is now breathing unhealthy air. Asia-Pacific is at the epicenter of this public health crisis, with about 4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution. Everyone is affected, but women, children, the elderly, and people living in poverty are bearing the brunt of its impacts. It is infringing on the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
Air pollutants contribute directly to the climate crisis, endangering the health and livelihoods of current and future generations. It takes a heavy toll on the region’s economy – which is still recovering from the pandemic.
Reducing air pollution is integral to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Unfortunately, progress toward reducing urban air pollution has been stagnant since 2015. There is an urgent need to increase investment in and implement evidence-based policies which support clean energy and industry, sustainable mobility, better municipal waste management, and sustainable agricultural practices. These efforts will reduce air pollution, support climate action, and help achieve other development goals. Strengthened international cooperation and collective action are also critical to turning the tide on air pollution.