Dr. Arvind Kumar, Founder Trustee, Lung Care Foundation, participated in the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, organized by the WHO from 24–27 March, 2025 in Cartagena, Colombia. In his session, Dr. Kumar described air pollution as a full-blown public health emergency that demands immediate global action. Sharing his personal experience of treating patients with blackened lungs, he stressed that air pollution is silently killing millions and urged leaders to recognize clean air as a fundamental human right while accelerating the implementation of life-saving solutions. Alongside his address, Dr. Kumar engaged in high-level roundtables and discussions focused on driving concrete action. Key themes included strengthening health systems through Health Impact Assessments, investing in air quality monitoring and early warning systems, promoting cross-sectoral and regional collaboration, and advancing equity-centered, community-driven approaches.

His participation underscores the vital role of health professionals in humanizing the air pollution crisis and placing health at the center of global climate and policy decisions.