The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea have signed an agreement to enhance collaboration around air quality.
Signing ceremony took place in June during Air Quality Action Week in Bangkok, Thailand. Under it, UNEP and the ministry agreed to jointly work on preparations for the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies and to promote cooperation in the fields of technology, industry, finance, science and policy to support action to improve air quality. The Republic of Korea was one of the sponsors of a 2019 United Nations General Assembly Resolution that established the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, a platform for global action to achieve healthy air for all.
Addressing air pollution and its effects is considered crucial to tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Air pollution reduces the world’s biodiversity, is a key factor in the destabilization of the global climate and harms human health. In the Asia-Pacific region, 92 per cent of the population – some 4 billion people – are exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution. However, dozens of solutions are available to combat this menace in Asia and the Pacific, and a new UNEP report shares actionable lessons from the air quality improvement story of the Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi regions in the Republic of Korea.
UNEP and Republic of Korea signed an agreement to work together to counter air pollution, which affects 4 billion people in the Asia-Pacific region.
UNEP works with the Republic of Korea on a range of issues in addition to air pollution, including forest protection and restoration, accelerating the shift to circularity and climate change adaptation. The Republic of Korea hosts the Partnership and Liaison Office of the Climate Technology Center and Network (CTCN) and an office of the Northwest Pacific Action Plan(NOWPAP). CTCN promotes the development and transfer of energy-efficient, low-carbon, climate-resilient technologies among countries. NOWPAP, which is part of the UNEP-administered Regional Seas Programme, works towards the wise use, development, conservation and management of the coastal and marine environment in the Northwest Pacific region.
“Improving air quality is a priority across the Asia and the Pacific region. UNEP looks forward to our continued cooperation with the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea on this critical issue, as progress for clean air brings a range of benefits for human health and the health of our environment,” said Dechen Tsering, UNEP Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific.
“The Republic of Korea is committed to advancing efforts for better air quality, including through global action platforms like the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. UNEP is a key partner in the push for healthier air for all and the Ministry of Environment is pleased to continue and deepen our collaboration with UNEP to tackle the triple planetary crisis,” said Yeon-Jae Park, Director General of the Air Quality Policy Bureau, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea.
To fight the pervasive impact of pollution on society, UNEP launched #BeatPollution, a strategy for rapid, large-scale and coordinated action against air, land and water pollution. The strategy highlights the impact of pollution on climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and human health. Through science-based messaging, the campaign showcases how transitioning to a pollution-free planet is vital for future generations.
