A Monegasque delegation, led by Didier Gamerdinger, Government Counselor-Minister of Social Affairs and Health, accompanied in particular by S.E. Miss. Carole Lanteri, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the World Health Organization, and the Directorate Environment, participated in the 1st WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health held in Geneva from 30 October to 1 November 2018.
On this occasion, the Councilor read a message from HSH Prince Albert II. The Sovereign announced that the Principality is joining the Breathelife campaign, jointly led by the WHO, the ONU Environment and the Coalition for Climate and Clean Air (CCPA) to mobilize cities and individuals to protect our health and the planet against the effects of air pollution, and the implementation of which will be ensured by the Directorate of the Environment.
During this conference, Didier Gamerdinger also presented the commitments of the Principality in this global struggle. They will help improve and monitor air quality through, inter alia, new technologies and innovation, thereby helping to reduce the negative impacts of air pollution on health.
For several years now, the Princely Government has been implementing a strategy consistent with these objectives. The following commitments that were presented at this conference include:
- a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050;
- government financial assistance to encourage soft mobility;
- reducing the tonnages of incinerated waste;
- the establishment of an air quality monitoring network to ensure that the European limit values are respected and to reach those of the WHO by 2030;
- a new hospital that will meet high energy performance and will operate without environmental impacts.
An opportunity for the Government Counselor for Health to recall that “we must together accept the responsibility to maintain and improve health and sustainable human development for our youth and future generations. the Principality is committed and invites everyone to commit themselves “.
Monaco, already involved in environmental initiatives, has confirmed its commitments to WHO in the area of health.