<span style="color: #222222;">The first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is being commemorated around the world today, following the recognition by the United Nations General Assembly of the importance of clean air for the health and day-to-day lives of people.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In a message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the dangers posed by air pollution and urged greater efforts to address it. He said that air pollution contributes to heart disease, strokes, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. It also threatens the economy, food security and the environment.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He added that as the world recover from the coronavirus pandemic, more attention needs to be given to air pollution, which also increases the risks associated with COVID-19.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr. Guterres stressed on the need for dramatic and systemic changes, reinforced environmental standards, policies and laws that prevent emissions of air pollutants.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Globally, nine out of every ten people breathe unclean air, and air pollution causes an estimated seven million premature deaths every year, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries.</span><br />''