Represented by the Environment Authority, the Sultanate of Oman is participating in celebrations marking the International Day of Clean Air themed "For Blue Skies", which falls on 7 September every year. The event highlights the importance of maintaining air quality and the health of human beings on the planet. Air pollution causes premature deaths at an estimated annual rate of 7 million deaths. The celebration also underlines the efforts of the countries of the world to build a global community that seeks to reduce air pollutants and encourage cooperation at national, regional and international levels. The Sultanate of Oman is taking measures to improve air quality by cutting down polluting emissions, developing environment-friendly infrastructure and monitoring and controlling air quality using various technologies. Oman is also raising public awareness and developing education and international and regional cooperation in a manner that ensures its commitment to sustainable development and plans for ba lancing social, economic and environmental aspects. It is worth noting that Oman has issued laws and regulations aimed at combating air pollution. The steps included the issuance of environmental regulations to control air pollutants emitted from fixed sources and setting mandates for technical obligations governing the establishment of projects. Source: Oman News Agency