Ahead of International Day for Clean Air and blue skies, UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls on governments, businesses and investors to act now, stressing that cleaner air saves lives, boosts productivity and builds more resilient and sustainable societies.  

Read the UN Secretary-General's message

What we talk about when we talk about clean air

From PM2.5 and ground-level ozone to black carbon and VOCs, the language of air pollution can get technical fast. Ahead of #CleanAirDay, explore UNEP’s glossary of the key terms you need to know – and why they matter for people and the planet.

Explore the air pollution glossary

The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is now accepting nominations for its 2026 awards. This year's awards focus on preventing and managing chronic respiratory diseases, as well as reducing the harmful impact of air pollution on human health.

Since 2018, these awards have recognized achievements on multisectoral action in the prevention and control of NCDs, mental health and the wider NCD-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

More information at: Call for nominations for UN NCD Task Force Award 2026