UrbanBetter’s participation at the W.H.O. Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health aligns with its mission to accelerate healthy and sustainable development in urban(ising) spaces globally. We aim to:
- Demonstrate the potential of Precision Advocacy to increase demand for healthy climate-resilient cities using Data – P.A.C.T (Physical activity, Awareness, Citizen science and Technology).
- Showcase the Cityzens initiative as a scalable, youth-led, grassroots-driven advocacy solution and movement for healthier, climate-resilient urban places and spaces.
- Promote youth engagement in decision making that is shaping the present and future of their cities.
UrbanBetter Activities
Sunday, 23rd March
- 7:00 – 9:00: UrbanBetter Cityzens Run (Activation (CAI – Ceballos, Tv.54, Bahia, Cartagena de Indias, Cartagena)
We will have a Prevision Advocacy activation with Students from the Universidad del Sinu, in collaboration with Universidad del Sinu and Espacio Publico y Movilidad. A 5km walk/run using wearable sensors to collect PM2.5 data, alongside the UrbanBetter Cityzens app to gather geotagged photos and text on air pollution and clean air sources. The data is then integrated into a map to visualize risks and assets in relation to air quality, with plans to expand this initiative in Colombia to engage both conference delegates and the public.
Monday, 24th March
- 6:00 – 10:00: UrbanBetter Cityzens Run (Activation (Medihelp Clinic Services, Distro turistico y cultural, Cra. 6 #5-101, Cartagena de Indias, Cartagena, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar)
We will implement a second Cityzens Precision Advocacy activation with conference delegates, in partnership with Ride For Their Lives by Health Care Without Harm and Clinica Medihelp Services. This will be aA 4km walk/run using wearable sensors to collect PM2.5 data, alongside the UrbanBetter Cityzens app to gather geotagged photos and text on air pollution and clean air sources. The data is then integrated into a map to visualiseze risks and assets in relation to air quality, with plans to expand this initiative in Colombia. We will share findings from both activations (on Sunday and Monday) to engage both conference delegates and the public.
- 11:00 – 13:00: Africa Clean Air Programme (ACAP) session (Room Barona 3, U 63): The session will focus on country-led initiatives while also exploring ways to better connect countries with donors and experts. There will be discussions around the intersection of health and air pollution in Africa, and shaping country and city-led initiatives and a panel comprising experts in air quality management in Africa and country representatives committed to driving this initiative forward as champions.
Speakers/Panelists: Prof. Tolullah Oni, Professor at University of Cambridge, UK & Founder, UrbanBetter; Peter Dery, Director, Environment Division, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana; Alex Johnson, Head of Transport Planning at Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), Ghana; Selelah Okoth, Senior Compliance Officer, National Environment Management Authority, Kenya; Dr. Kenza Khomsi, ACAP Regional Nodes for North Africa; Dr. Kevin Hicks, Stockholm Environment Institute/York University, UK; David Foster, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK.
- 13:30 – 15:40: Clean Air Fund Partners’ Workshop and Media Training (Centro de Convenciones Cartagena de Indias, Salon Arsenal) This workshop is an opportunity for Clean Air Fund organisations across different portfolios (health, advocacy, data, super pollutants and geographies) to exchange lessons learned from respective projects and campaigns and maximise their collective impact during the conference. The workshop will look ahead to future clean air opportunities, at the national level and global stage, such as the World Health Assembly (WHA), UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the UN COP30 climate conference. It will also include interactive media training by Health Policy Watch, to equip health researchers and advocates with tools to frame the results of their work to journalists, including during the conference. The session will develop practical skills on communication with print, broadcast and social media, via interviews, press releases, speaking on camera, etc. it will support compelling and effective communications to media, and by extension to the public and decision makers, to strengthen the case for clean air action.
Speakers: Jane Burston, Nina Renshaw, Yasmine Yau, Sean Maguire, Santiago Morales (Clean Air Fund); Prof. Tolullah Oni, Professor at University of Cambridge, UK & Founder UrbanBetter; Heather Adair-Rohani, Samantha Pegoraro, Paul Safar (World Health Organisation)
CAF Partners: (UrbanBetter) Waziri Mainasara; (Act+) Paula Johns (moderator); (Air for Health Bulgaria) Alexander Simidchiev; (European Respiratory Society) Barabara Hoffman; (Global Climate and Health Alliance) Shweta Narayan, Jen Kuhl (moderator); (groundWork South Africa) Mafoko Phomane; (Health and Environment Alliance) Sophie Perroud Akkerman; (Health Policy Watch) Elaine Ruth Fletcher; (Lung Care Foundation) Abhishek Kumar; (NCD Alliance) – Daniel Hunt; (Polish Smog Alert) Andrzej Gula; (Union for International Cancer Control) Rosie Tasker; (World Heart Federation) Kelcey Armstrong-Walenczak
Wednesday, 26 March
- 13:15 – 14:15: Air quality alerts and indexes : what do we know and how useful they are to protect health? (Room Barona 2)
Conveying information about the levels of and risks associated with air pollution is crucial to raise awareness and provide guidance on how to protect health, especially for the most vulnerable groups of the population. This includes sharing scientific data, health warnings, and actionable steps to help individuals and communities make informed decisions to protect their health.
Moderator: Frank Kelly, Professor, Imperial College London, UK
Main presentation: Kevin Cromar, New York University, in collaboration with WHO
Speakers: Tolullah Oni, University of Cambridge & Founder/CEO UrbanBetter; Kathleen Buset, Director, Water and Air Bureau, Health Canada; Kornwipa Punnasiri, Health Impact Assessment Division, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand; Sebastien Denys, Director, Santé Publique France; Pippa Powell, European Lung Foundation; Gerson Orlando Bermont, Bogota Health Secretariat – Air Quality and Health Index.
Thursday, 27 March
- 14:30 – 16:00: Clean air as part of human right to a healthy environment: tackling inequities to protect the health of the most vulnerable. (Salón Barahona 2)
Clean air is a fundamental human right essential for health and equity; this session highlights the need for stronger air quality legislation, government accountability, and multisectoral collaboration to address health inequities, protect vulnerable populations, and promote environmental justice for a sustainable future for all.
Moderator: Prof. Tolullah Oni, Professor at University of Cambridge, UK & Founder, UrbanBetter.
Testimonies: Najat Aoun Saliba, Member of Parliament of Lebanon, Professor at the American University of Beirut and GAPH-TAG member; Fany Kuiru Castro, General Coordinator of the Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organisations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) and BreatheLife voice; Chibeze Ezekiel, Founder of the Strategic Youth Network for Development, Ghana, and BreatheLife voice
Panelists: Sunkaru Touray, Permian Lung Health Institute, Gambia; Vanessa Lopez, President, Health and Environment Alliance; Elvis Ndikum, Global Youth Strategy on Air Pollution and Climate, Cameroon; Bhavreen Kandhari, Warrior Moms, India; Hari Prasad Mainali, Secretary, Minister of Health and Population, Nepal; Adalberto Maluf, National Secretary of Urban Environment and Environmental Quality, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil
