International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/74/212
About International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is the United Nations observance held on 7 September to raise awareness of air quality and encourage action to reduce air pollution.
The day emphasizes that cleaner air is connected with public health, environmental protection, climate action and cooperation across sectors and borders.
Why International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies matters
Air pollution can come from transport, energy, industry, burning, households, agriculture and other sources, so meaningful improvement usually requires both individual choices and wider policy or infrastructure changes.
The observance can help communities learn where local pollution comes from, how air quality is monitored and which actions are supported by credible local evidence.
History of International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
The UN General Assembly designated 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies in 2019.
The first observance was held in 2020, with the UN resolution emphasizing public awareness and action to improve air quality.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Republic of Korea
The President of the Republic of Korea stated at the United Nations that the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies was proposed by his country; the Second Committee document index also records the original draft as submitted by the Republic of Korea on behalf of the sponsors.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/74/212
First documented observance
UNEP identifies 7 September 2020 as the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP states that the General Assembly invited UNEP to facilitate the observance and that UNEP facilitates the Day moving forward.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
International Day of Clean Air
How to Observe International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
Find the official air-quality information service for your area and learn what its index or alert categories mean.
Review whether a school or workplace can reduce unnecessary vehicle idling or support lower-emission travel options.
Avoid open burning where it is unsafe or prohibited and follow local waste-management guidance.
Learn which pollution sources are most important locally before choosing an awareness or advocacy activity.
Support credible clean-air initiatives while keeping health advice general and directing personal medical questions to qualified professionals.
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies Facts
International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is observed on 7 September.
The UN General Assembly designated the day in 2019.
The first observance took place in 2020.
UNEP connects the day with public awareness and action to improve air quality.
Air quality is a cross-border and cross-sector issue, not solely an individual-behaviour issue.
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies Messages
On International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, may appreciation for the natural world lead to informed stewardship and practical care for the places and species around us.
May International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies inspire curiosity about the living world and thoughtful action to protect it.
Celebrate International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies by learning from credible conservation sources and choosing one practical way to reduce harm or support protection.
Wishing everyone marking International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies a day of discovery, respect for nature and care that continues beyond today.
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies Quotes
“Air pollution is preventable, but we need everyone on board–from individuals to private companies to governments.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
UN Environment Programme — International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/74/212 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Environment Programme — first International Day of Clean Air (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Environment Programme — International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (opens in a new tab)
United Nations General Assembly Second Committee — A/C.2/74/L.34 submitted by the Republic of Korea on behalf of the sponsors (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Republic of Korea statement at the UN 75th-anniversary high-level meeting (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (opens in a new tab)
Un International Observance
United Nations — List of International Days and Weeks (opens in a new tab)
Show 1 additional source reference
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies?
7 September The documented recurrence rule is: 7 September.
Does International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: UNEP / United Nations / international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Republic of Korea. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Is International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: UNEP / United Nations / international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When is the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies?
It is observed every year on 7 September.
When was the day created?
The UN General Assembly designated it in 2019, and the first observance was held in 2020.
What is a useful way to observe it?
Learn about verified local air-quality data and major local pollution sources, then choose a practical action or policy discussion suited to that context.
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