Verité Research to host South Asian Regional Workshop on Air Quality

In 2016, approximately seven million premature deaths globally were attributable to air pollution. Of these deaths, 91 percent occurred in lowand middle-income countries. According to the 2020 World Air Quality Report, of the top 40 most polluted cities in the world, 37 are in South Asia. 

As a result of this, and many other concerning factors, in 2021, the UN Human Rights Council recognised for the first time that having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a basic human right, thereby calling for bold action by states to ensure their citizens have access to a healthy environment. 

Awareness about air pollution is highly limited in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan public have not had access to comprehensive air quality data until recently. This has hindered the ability of Sri Lankan researchers to carry out studies that help understand and mitigate the impacts of air pollution.  

Recognising these gaps, and the need for increased dialogue and awareness on air pollution in the country, Verité Research in conjunction with the US Department of State will be hosting a virtual workshop on air quality. 

This workshop will bring together air quality experts from across the South Asian region and the United States to develop pathways for dialogue, draw on our neighbours’ experiences and address important gaps within the field of air quality, with the goal of sharing knowledge and promoting professional networking across the region. 

This workshop will be held on two consecutive days on March 21st and 22nd from 9.30 a.m.–12.00 noon. 

The event will be moderated by Verité Research and will feature a diverse set of local and foreign experts and key stakeholders from sectors such as public health, policy analysis to communications–to share their knowledge and exchange experiences on air pollution management.

The speakers will include Dr. Ranil Dhammapala (US State Department, Air Quality Fellow), Professor Mike Bergin from Duke University, Dr. Gayan Bowatte from the University of Peradeniya, Community Health Expert Professor Sumal Nandasena and Director of Urban Emissions, India, Dr. Sarath Guttikunda, among others. 

The event will be live streamed acrossVerité Research’s Facebook and YouTube platforms. Registration will also be open for participants via Verité Research’ssocial media platforms.