Written by: Angelo Moreno, IFMSA President
The Second WHO Conference on Air Pollution and Health took place from 25th to the 27th of March, in Cartagena, Colombia. The conference gathered governments, UN agencies, researchers, health professionals, civil society, and youth representatives to address the urgent health impacts of air pollution and advance solutions aligned with global health and climate goals.
As the world’s largest student-led health organization, bringing together 1.5 million medical students from 123 countries, IFMSA once again underscored its commitment to clean air as a fundamental human right. For more than 35 years, IFMSA has been a strong voice calling for decisive action on air pollution, and this conference offered a chance to renew that call with renewed clarity and urgency.
During the event, IFMSA highlighted five priority areas where future health professionals can take the lead. To broaden its impact, the commitment was also translated into Spanish, French, Arabic, and Traditional Chinese, ensuring accessibility and wider dissemination across the Federation and beyond.
PDF of the Commitment:IFMSA Commitment_II WHO Conference on Air Pollution and Health.pdf
For IFMSA, this is not just about policy, it is about people, and future. We reaffirm our commitment to planetary health, intergenerational equity, and a future where no one dies from the air they breathe. Medical students will continue to advocate, educate, and act to ensure that clean air becomes a guaranteed right for all.
