Benghazi – Fares Fathi, director of the Geographic and Environmental Systems Department at the Ministry of Environment, said September 7 marks the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. The United Nations General Assembly established this day on December 19, 2019. The first official celebration took place in 2020.
Fathi told Al-Anbaa Libya that the day highlights the importance of maintaining air quality and reducing pollution sources. He stressed its direct impact on human health, the environment, and the climate.
He added that the international day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of air pollution. It also supports air quality monitoring and encourages countries to exchange expertise and expand cooperation to reduce pollutant and carbon emissions.
Fathi explained that the Libyan Ministry of Environment has contributed to the national air quality monitoring project. The ministry has installed several monitoring stations across the country. He noted that operating these stations has allowed Libya to be part of global air quality tracking platforms.
He said the stations provide continuous data on atmospheric pollutant levels, helping monitor air quality indicators and detect any changes.
Fathi pointed out that data from the stations also support early warning systems and help track changes in weather and air quality. He confirmed the ministry’s ongoing commitment to regularly monitoring weather conditions and air quality.
He affirmed that these efforts aim to protect the health of citizens and preserve the environment, as well as strengthen the ability of relevant authorities to respond to and monitor air pollution cases.