INTRODUCTION:
Healthy indoor air is a crucial yet overlooked topic that impacts both infectious and non-communicable diseases. Most populations spend 90% of the time inside so indoor air quality (IAQ) has a major influence on health. When measured, indoor air is typically poor quality, filled with pathogens, pollutants and plastics. No country has implemented health-based IAQ standards to guarantee access to safe air. This gap in public health frameworks is a landmark opportunity to improve health for communities the world over.

METHODS:
In 2025, a global community of indoor air quality experts and advocates formed and convened a major event at United Nations headquarters in New York, on the sidelines on the United Nations General Assembly. During the event, the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air was launched. The Global Pledge articulates six key reasons why indoor air quality must be addressed: for health, for human rights, for pandemic preparedness, for climate resilience, for work health safety and for accessibility.

RESULTS:
France and Montenegro were welcomed as the inaugural signatories of the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air, alongside over 200 health groups, universities, community groups and aligned businesses. Over the following months, indoor air quality advocates set about engaging in productive dialogue with government, health and business leaders, to increase awareness and drive action on healthy indoor air.

CONCLUSIONS:
The global pledge for healthy indoor air serves as a catalyst for leadership and action on indoor air quality. In 2026 it is expected that numerous additional governments will become signatories, creating global momentum, mobilisation of leaders and substantial increase in public awareness. Everyone will benefit from prioritisation of indoor air quality. The science is clear, solutions exist and the rationale is undeniable. Awareness and leadership are two key challenges the global pledge aims to address.