The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han, Jeoung Ae) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minister Chung Eui-yong) announced that various kinds of events will be held to commemorate the 2nd "International Day of Clean Air for blue skies" proposed by Korea which is the very first international commemorative day adopted by the United Nations. "Healthy Air, Healthy Planet" is the theme of this year's International Day of Clean Air for blue skies designated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Commemorating "International Day of Clean Air for blue skies", various events will be held for all the Korean citizens to participate in. International forum responding to transboundary air pollution will be held by Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commemorate "International Day of Clean Air for blue skies" at 2:30 PM on 7 September at Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul. From 7 September to 24 September, the Ministry of Environment will perform "International Day of Clean Air for blue skies" running competition, campaign song singing contest through Youtube channel of Ministry of Environment and Instagram for the awareness of the importance of the citizen's actual practice to cut down on fine dust. Various events such as "International Day of Clean Air for blue skies" commemorative ceremony (Busan Metropolitan city, Incheon Metropolitan city, Daejeon Metropolitan city), campaign for reducing fine dust, international forum on clean air, a talk show will be held and films on environmental issues will be shown. Commemorating the 2nd International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, three citizens receive commendation award from the President of the Republic of Korea and two other citizens are awarded from the Prime Minister for their devotion to preservation of the environment.

Events will be held by the United Nations on 7 September to commemorate "International Day of Clean Air for blue skies" as well. At United Nations Headquarters, commemorative ceremony will be held by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and a high- level meeting will be presided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Commemorative ceremony will be presided by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP). In particular, Director General of Climate and Air quality Research Department Eunhae Jeong will introduce South Korea's policy to improve air quality at the high-level meeting of UNEP. 

The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han, Jeoung Ae) said, "Thanks to the efforts exerted by the Korean government and the citizens' practice, our precious blue skies with hardly any fine dust are already around for us to enjoy. Hopefully, this event will truly remind us of the importance of our blue skies and it will be a closer step to get cleaner air for everyone to breathe by creating better environment."

"In order to respond air pollution, transboundary air pollution cooperation is essential among every country including North East Asia. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minister CHUNG Eui-yong) said.

About the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution to designate September 7 as International Day of Clean Air for blue skies in December, 2019. South Korea designated the day as "International Day of Clean Air for blue skies" after the State Council passed the revised bill on National Commemorative Days in August, 2020.

For inquiry, please contact 

        - Air Quality Policy Division, Ministry of Environment 044-201-6860/6861

        - Climate Diplomacy and Green Economy Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02-2100-7794/7789

Attachment 1. History of the designation of "International Day of Clean air for blue Skies" 

        2. The logo, the theme and the Poster of "International Day of Clean Air for blue skies"

        3. Main programs of "International Day of Clean Air for blue skies"