The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minister Park Jin) announced that various events commemorating "International Day of  Clean Air for Blue Skies,"* which falls on September 7, will take place in various locations around the world, including Seoul, in collaboration with the international community.

* Designated as the first UN commemorative day proposed by South Korea (December 2019) and later designated as a national celebration day (August 2020) with the aim of urging global participation and action for improving air quality.

The government commemorative ceremony for the 4th "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies" will be held on September 7 at 2 PM at the 63 Building Convention Center in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. It will also be broadcasted online through the websites of the Ministry of Environment (me.go.kr) and the United Nations Environment Programme (unep.org).

The theme for "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies" set by the United Nations Environment Programme this year is "Together for Clean Air," which signifies the need for strong international collaboration, increased investment, and shared responsibility of the global community to overcome air pollution and achieve clear skies.

During the 4th government commemorative ceremony for "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies," a total of five individuals who have made significant contributions to improving air quality will receive government commendations, including three recipients of the Presidential Commendation and two recipients of the Prime Minister's Commendation.

The recipients of the Presidential Commendation are: Choo Hyeong-wook, CEO of SK E&S, Shin Dong-woo, Chairman of Nano, and EVSIS (CEO Oh Yeong-sik).

The recipients of the Prime Minister's Commendation are: Dong-won Lee, Director of the Environmental Satellite Center at the National Institute of Environmental Research and Daegu Green Environment Support Center (Director Kim Hak-yoon).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment is actively conducting various pre-promotional events to raise awareness of the significance of "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies" and encourage collective actions for improving air quality.

To promote actions that anyone can easily practice in their daily lives to reduce air pollution, initiatives such as the "Practical Habit Certification Challenge," quiz events in a mock exam format, and the production and distribution of promotional videos are being conducted through the Ministry of Environment's website (me.go.kr). These actions include using public transportation, maintaining appropriate indoor temperatures, and unplugging unused electrical cords, among others.

In addition, environmental agencies under the Ministry of Environment and local governments are also organizing various events in their respective areas to celebrate "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies" and promote air quality improvement efforts.

The Nakdonggang River Basin Environmental Office is conducting free inspections of vehicle emissions, while Daegu city is engaging in activities to remove fine dust from apartment complexes and schools. In addition, Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do are carrying out various coordinated events across the country, including the cleaning of roads and dust scattering control at worksites, as well as implementing a two-day rotation system for government vehicles in public offices, totaling approximately 62 connected events to commemorate the day.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also taking steps to enhance awareness of the importance of cooperation in addressing air pollution in Northeast Asia. They are organizing the 3rd International Forum on Transboundary Air Pollution on the afternoon of September 8, which will be held in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual components at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul. During this event, experts from both domestic and international backgrounds will engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as the 

current status and response strategies for air pollution in Northeast Asia, lessons and implications drawn from Europe's scientific and data-based approaches to air pollution, and the mutual benefits of addressing climate change and air pollution.

The United Nations is also organizing various linked events in celebration of "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies" to address air quality issues.

At the United Nations headquarters in New York, there will be a commemorative event hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the participation of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations. In addition, the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, will host various events in conjunction with Africa Climate Week. Furthermore, major cities worldwide, including Washington and Beijing, will also hold commemorative events with the theme of "International Day of Clean Air for Blue 

Skies."

In particular, during the commemorative event jointly hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Asia Pacific Office located in Bangkok, Thailand, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), there will be a presentation on South Korea's utilization of environmental satellites for monitoring air pollution.

Minister Han Wha-jin of the Ministry of Environment stated, "We will work together with the international community to improve air quality and make the air cleaner through strengthened domestic policies. Through this commemorative event, we hope to reaffirm the significance of blue skies and encourage everyone to take action for clean air."Minister Park Jin of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remarked, "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is a meaningful day that calls for global action for clean air. As our skies have no boundaries, we will collaborate not only with the Northeast Asian region but also with the international community to address air pollution."

Contact: Kang In-Sook, Deputy Director

Air Quality Policy Division / +82-(0)44-201-6879