About: International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is designated by the United Nations General Assembly on 7 September to strengthen international cooperation in improving air quality and reducing air pollution. The designation was made through the Assembly resolution 74/212, and adopted at that session's 52nd plenary meeting on 19 December 2019. The resolution was adopted without a vote, generally indicating all countries recognized the importance of the subject, were united on the issue, and no obvious divisions were present. In that resolution, the General Assembly emphasized "the need to strengthen international cooperation at the global, regional and subregional levels in various areas related to improving air quality, including the collection and utilization of data, joint research and development, and the sharing of best practices." It includes a specific focus on the disproportionate effect of poor air quality on women, children and older persons.