In an unprecedented show of unity, over 47 million health professionals, patients, advocates, and civil society representatives worldwide have signed a global call for urgent action to reduce air pollution and protect public health.
The initiative, led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and international health organizations, will be presented at the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, Colombia, from 25–27 March 2025.
“Forty-seven million voices from the health community are calling for bold, science-driven action on air pollution,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We expect concrete commitments from countries to implement evidence-based solutions and save lives.”
Air pollution is a major environmental threat to human health, causing approximately 7 million deaths annually, primarily from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Around 2.1 billion people face dangerous levels of household air pollution from open fires and polluting stoves used for cooking.
The health community is urging governments to adopt stricter air quality standards, transition to cleaner energy sources, and enforce emissions controls. These measures are expected to improve health, drive sustainable development, and combat climate change.
The conference will bring together political leaders, civil society, UN agencies, and academics to advance a global clean air agenda. Commitments made at the conference and the upcoming 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) are expected to drive long-term progress in improving air quality and global health.
