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Please let me start by thanking again the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Ministry of Health for organizing this important Scientific Conference, which WHO is proud to support, in collaboration with our sister UN agency, UNDP.
The timing for this conference is excellent.
We are meeting just after another winter of record poor air quality in Ha Noi. In the face of this, we welcome the exceptionally strong commitment from Viet Nam’s leaders, at the highest levels, to tackling air pollution.
In particular, we are encouraged and inspired by H.E. General Secretary To Lam’s emphasis on the importance of sustainable development – that is, of balancing economic development with environmental protection. And we look forward to hearing more about the Government’s draft proposal to tackle air pollution in major cities later this morning. So we meet this week in a moment of real opportunity.
This conference takes place just one month after WHO convened global health leaders in Colombia for the 2nd Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health. Viet Nam was represented by a very strong delegation led by VM Lien Huong. I look forward to welcoming Colombian Ambassador to Viet Nam Camila Polo Florez here later this morning.
WHO’s mandate and focus, of course, is on health. We have always said, and will continue to say – that health is THE argument for tackling air pollution.
In a few moments, we will watch a video in which my WHO colleague Dr Maria Neira spells out in more detail the very serious health costs of air pollution.
The need for action is beyond doubt. Today is all about the POLICIES and measures we need to put in place to control and reduce emissions at their source – including in transport, industry, waste management, and agriculture – and protect health.
Just as the need to action is clear, so too is the fact that the payoffs will be immense.
Addressing air pollution effectively will save lives, prevent years of ill health and reduce the enormous burden that air pollution-related disease places on families, the health system and the economy.
But to realise these benefits – and capitalise on current momentum and opportunity – we need to move fast.
In this, we can learn from the experiences of other countries.
Again, I am delighted that we have so many experts from around the region joining the conference today, including from Beijing and China. My first WHO posting was to Beijing more than a decade ago. I still remember what it felt like on the days when the PM2.5 reading reached 800 or more: you could smell it, taste it, feel it on your skin.
And yet, Beijing’s experience shows that it is possible to make significant improvements in air pollution – and reap the huge benefits – in a very short period of time.
WHO is honoured to support this work in Viet Nam, along with UNDP and other partners.
We deeply appreciate the interest, support and engagement in this issue from all of you here today. We are deeply inspired and energized by the commitment of Viet Nam’s leaders to addressing this issue. With all of our hearts and all of our lungs, we look forward to working with all of you towards blue skies, clean air, and a healthier Viet Nam!
Xin cảm ơn!