Bi-Weekly Press Briefing: SunSmart Global UV App WHO - WMO
/
1:46
/
MP4
/
130.3 MB

Edited News | WHO , WMO

Bi-Weekly Press Briefing: SunSmart Global UV App WHO - WMO

Scientific evidence shows that overexposure to UV radiation is the major cause of skin cancer. To help people to know when UV radiation is at its highest and to protect themselves adequately, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched today the SunSmart Global UV App.

“The SunSmart Global UV App provides five-day UV and weather forecasts at searchable locations”, said Carla Drysdale, spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO). While speaking today at a briefing at the United Nations in Geneva, Ms. Drysdale added that “it highlights time slots when sun protection is required and aims to help people around the world to know when to use sun protection, in an effort to reduce the global burden of skin cancer and UV-related eye damage”.

Developed by Australia’s Cancer Council Victoria and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, the app is based on the UV Index, which indicates the level of solar UV radiation at the earth’s surface. The UV Index uses a scale of 1 (or Low) to 11 and higher (or Extreme). The higher the index value the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eyes and the less time it takes for harm to occur.

“Globally, it’s estimated that over 1,5 million cases of skin cancer, that’s melanoma and non-melanoma combined, were diagnosed globally in 2020”, Ms. Drysdale said. “During the same period, more than 120, 000 people across the world lost their lives to this highly preventable disease”.

Much of UV-related illness and death can be avoided through a set of simple prevention measures such as limit time in the midday sun, seek shade when UV rays are most intense and wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses as well as the use of sunscreen.

According to WMO’s spokesperson Clare Nullis “it’s now the period of the year when UV radiation is at its maximum in Europe, in the northern hemisphere”. She added “this is because of the position of the sun in the sky. There are other factors that do influence the amount of UV, which is the ground, clouds, the ozone layers, etc. etc. So, all of these elements are being added into this app which has been launched”.

The SunSmart Global UV app is available free of charge at both the Apple App and Google Play stores. It provides personalized options so that users can take actions to protect prolonged excessive UV exposure, a major cause of skin cancer and other UV relate diseases.

-ends-

  1. Exterior medium shot, Palais des Nations flag alley, nations’ flags moving gently in the wind, a sunny day
  2. Wide shot, press briefing room with speakers seated at podium
  3. SOUNDBITE (English) — Carla Drysdale, spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO): “The SunSmart Global UV App and it provides five-day UV and weather forecasts at searchable locations. It highlights time slots when sun protection is required and aims to help people around the world to know when to use sun protection, in an effort to reduce the global burden of skin cancer and UV-related eye damage”.
  4. Medium shot, journalists in the press briefing room
  5. SOUNDBITE (English) — Carla Drysdale, spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO): “Globally, it’s estimated that over 1,5 million cases of skin cancer, that’s melanoma and non-melanoma combined, were diagnosed globally in 2020. During the same period, more than 120, 000 people across the world lost their lives to this highly preventable disease”.
  6. Close up, cameramen with cameras
  7. SOUNDBITE (English) — Clare Nullis, spokesperson for WMO: “Now is the period of the year when UV radiation is at its maximum in Europe, in the northern hemisphere. This is because of the position of the sun in the sky. There are other factors that do influence the amount of UV, which is the ground, clouds, the ozone layers, etc. etc. So, all of these elements are being added into this App which has been launched”.
  8. Close-up, journalist in foreground, others in background
  9. Medium shot, journalist listening
  10. Close-up, fingers tapping on the laptop

Similar Stories

Gaza - Israel war 7 October 2025 - OCHA - UNICEF - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , WHO

Gaza - Israel war 7 October 2025 - OCHA - UNICEF - WHO ENG FRA

Two years of Gaza-Israel war bring ‘indescribable’ pain: UN humanitarians

Two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel, UN humanitarians on Tuesday reiterated calls for the release of all hostages in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire and an aid surge to alleviate Palestinians’ suffering, as talks on a US-driven peace plan continued in Egypt.

Justice for Syria's disappeared - Riyad Avlar – 06 October 2025

1

1

1

Edited News

Justice for Syria's disappeared - Riyad Avlar – 06 October 2025 ENG FRA

Syria prison survivor seeks justice for the missing with UN backing.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end”

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end” ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday warned that three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous and deadly stage for Ukrainian civilians, under relentless bombardment of their schools, hospitals, and shelters.

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , ICRC

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC ENG FRA

Quadcopter victims, terror and death: 30 minutes in a Gaza hospital 

UN aid teams on Friday highlighted the disturbing situation in Gaza’s makeshift hospitals, where premature babies cry for scant oxygen and medics attempt to save child survivors targeted by airstrikes in their tents and quadcopter victims reportedly shot while fetching bread.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti

2

1

2

Edited News | OHCHR

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday delivered his oral update to the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti.

The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: As world waits for US peace plan news, UN aid teams stress need for ceasefire

UN agencies reiterated calls for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday to help alleviate Palestinian suffering, as a new US 20-point plan raised hopes of a halt to the fighting.

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO ENG FRA

The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to overwhelm the war-torn enclave’s medical professionals, with four more hospitals forced to shut down this month alone, the UN World Health Organization said on Friday.

UN Report: Civilian detainees subjected to troubling patterns of torture and ill treatment since Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Report: Civilian detainees subjected to troubling patterns of torture and ill treatment since Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine ENG FRA

A UN Human Rights report released today details the dire situation of thousands of civilians detained since Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine in 2022. 

Sudan cholera update WHO - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , UNICEF

Sudan cholera update WHO - UNICEF ENG FRA

Sudan war: Life-saving cholera vaccination campaign begins in Darfur

Amid the devastating war in Sudan, UN aid teams are overcoming major obstacles to curb a cholera outbreak claiming lives across the country, with young children particularly at risk.

Afghanistan earthquake response – UN Women 19 September 2025

2

1

2

Edited News , B-roll | UN WOMEN

Afghanistan earthquake response – UN Women 19 September 2025 ENG FRA

Women and girls still reeling from Afghanistan's recent deadly earthquake face even greater suffering rebuilding their lives and livelihoods without much more help from the international community, UN Women said on Friday.

UN report: Sudan crisis deepens amid rising civilian casualties - UN Human rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence and OHCHR Sudan Representative Li Fung

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN report: Sudan crisis deepens amid rising civilian casualties - UN Human rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence and OHCHR Sudan Representative Li Fung ENG FRA

Rising civilian casualties, growing ethnic violence and the grim humanitarian situation in Sudan underscore how the crisis there is deepening, according to a UN Human rights report published today.

'Not a Target' UN Geneva Protest - 18 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNITED NATIONS

'Not a Target' UN Geneva Protest - 18 September 2025 ENG FRA

United Nations agencies staff demonstrates on Place des Nations in Geneva to denounce the killing of their colleagues in Gaza.