Air pollution is one of the main risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. Its main sources, such as combustion of fossil fuels, are also key drivers of climate change. Air pollutants travel beyond borders, posing a challenge that cannot be addressed through local action alone. International cooperation is therefore essential to sustainably address the double risk to both health and the climate.
At its annual meeting, the Joint Task Force on the Health Aspects Air Pollution, led by WHO, gathers representatives from Parties to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, as well as other experts and stakeholders, to share information and updates. As a relevant platform to exchange knowledge and information, the Task Force plays an important role in supporting the implementation of the regional commitments on air quality, climate change and health made at the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health (2023).
On the agenda
- International policies and processes for air quality and health, including the revised European Union Ambient Air Quality Directive, updates from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Air Convention Secretariat, and relevant WHO activities, such as the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health and the updated Road Map for an Enhanced Global Response to the Adverse Health Effects of Air Pollution, which is expected to be adopted at the World Health Assembly in May 2025.
- Progress in research on health risk assessment of air pollution, particularly on ongoing WHO projects, such as the update of the Health Risks of Air Pollution in Europe (HRAPIE-2) and Estimating the Morbidity from Air Pollution and its Economic Costs (EMAPEC).
- Advances in research related to the good practice statements of the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines on black carbon, ultrafine particles, desert dust and sandstorms –focusing on new evidence on the health effects of exposure to these pollutants.
- Updates on WHO tools for health risk assessment of air pollution (AirQ+ and CLIMAQ-H), including their use and capacity-building activities.
Participants will also share relevant country experiences and discuss the draft Task Force workplan for 2026–2027.