From March 24 to 28, 2025, the Vietnamese delegation led by Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Deputy Minister of Health, attended the 2nd Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, Colombia.
The event, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Colombian government, attracted representatives from numerous countries and international organizations. It aimed to promote action for clean air, access to sustainable energy, and the reduction of climate change impacts.
The conference sought to engage and call for the attention of high-level leaders from various countries and territories to identify strategic solutions to integrate air pollution mitigation efforts with public health protection systems. This included recognizing the health impacts, particularly on vulnerable communities.
At the high-level roundtable discussion, delegates emphasized that air pollution is a transboundary issue that poses severe risks to human health, especially for vulnerable populations. Countries must collaborate on strategic pollution control solutions while aligning with public health protection policies.
Viet Nam represents a strong commitment to solving air pollutionViet Nam reaffirmed its strong commitment to tackling air pollution, particularly in major urban areas. The delegation called for international support, experience-sharing, and cooperation in research, technology, and policymaking to mitigate the negative health impacts of pollution.
Within the framework of the conference, the Vietnamese delegation also participated in discussions on multinational cooperation, engaging with representatives from 70 countries and various environmental and scientific organizations. The sessions highlighted successful air quality management models from India, Singapore, ASEAN, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.
Vietnamese representatives actively contributed to discussions on strategic directions and coordination mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of international networks. They also outlined key priority areas that require attention and consideration.
Additionally, members of the Vietnamese delegation took part in a parallel session discussing lessons learned from the European Union's (EU) engagement in advocating for the implementation of WHO guidelines on air quality and health management.
This conference allowed Viet Nam to gain insights, expand international cooperation, and apply practical solutions in practice, contributing to environmental protection and improving community well-being.