WHO
WHO statement on air pollution
Mr Chairman, distinguished delegates,
? We would like to thank the European Union, the Marshall Islands, the
United States, Zimbabwe and the many other countries that have
drawn our attention to the health risks associated with indoor air
pollution, and that have called for a strong political commitment to
address this problem.
? You should have in front of you a position statement by the World
Health Organization and partners that outlines a few key steps that
must be taken urgently if we are to prevent 1.5 million deaths a year.
? We all know that ?What does not get measured does not get
done?. Therefore, we call upon countries to endorse the target:
?By 2015, to reduce by half the number of people without access
to modern cooking fuels and to make improved cooking
technologies widely available.? Working towards this target,
recommended by the UN Millennium Project, will not only reduce
indoor air pollution and improve children´s and women´s health but
will also make an essential contribution to achieving ALL of the
Millennium Development Goals.
? The mechanisms for monitoring progress towards this target are
already in place: WHO is the UN agency monitoring the MDG
indicator ?proportion of population using solid fuels?.
? WHO is working with countries to implement its global air quality
guidelines. These guidelines apply to outdoor AND indoor
environments. As few indoor spaces can be regulated, WHO has
started the development of indoor air quality guidelines that will
provide guidance on how to achieve guideline values through
technological interventions and ventilation.
? As already pointed out by previous speakers, a greater awareness
among the affected and women in particular, is essential if
households are to switch away from health-damaging traditional
practices and find out about available solutions. But awareness is
NOT sufficient where affected households do not have a choice.
Measures to address indoor air pollution will need to be integrated into
national policies. We call upon developing countries to commit to
reviewing relevant national policies, including Poverty Reduction
Strategies and national development plans, to address the health
risks from cooking and heating. We also call upon industrialized
countries to commit to reviewing their national development
cooperation strategies with the same aim.
? Public sector investments ? at national and international levels ?
are essential to catalyse the process of providing the poor with access
to modern household energy.
Thank you.
Mr Chairman, distinguished delegates,
? We would like to thank the European Union, the Marshall Islands, the
United States, Zimbabwe and the many other countries that have
drawn our attention to the health risks associated with indoor air
pollution, and that have called for a strong political commitment to
address this problem.
? You should have in front of you a position statement by the World
Health Organization and partners that outlines a few key steps that
must be taken urgently if we are to prevent 1.5 million deaths a year.
? We all know that ?What does not get measured does not get
done?. Therefore, we call upon countries to endorse the target:
?By 2015, to reduce by half the number of people without access
to modern cooking fuels and to make improved cooking
technologies widely available.? Working towards this target,
recommended by the UN Millennium Project, will not only reduce
indoor air pollution and improve children´s and women´s health but
will also make an essential contribution to achieving ALL of the
Millennium Development Goals.
? The mechanisms for monitoring progress towards this target are
already in place: WHO is the UN agency monitoring the MDG
indicator ?proportion of population using solid fuels?.
? WHO is working with countries to implement its global air quality
guidelines. These guidelines apply to outdoor AND indoor
environments. As few indoor spaces can be regulated, WHO has
started the development of indoor air quality guidelines that will
provide guidance on how to achieve guideline values through
technological interventions and ventilation.
? As already pointed out by previous speakers, a greater awareness
among the affected and women in particular, is essential if
households are to switch away from health-damaging traditional
practices and find out about available solutions. But awareness is
NOT sufficient where affected households do not have a choice.
Measures to address indoor air pollution will need to be integrated into
national policies. We call upon developing countries to commit to
reviewing relevant national policies, including Poverty Reduction
Strategies and national development plans, to address the health
risks from cooking and heating. We also call upon industrialized
countries to commit to reviewing their national development
cooperation strategies with the same aim.
? Public sector investments ? at national and international levels ?
are essential to catalyse the process of providing the poor with access
to modern household energy.
Thank you.
Stakeholders