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

Not a Target UN Protest 18 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNITED NATIONS

Not a Target UN Protest 18 September 2025 ENG FRA

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

WMO - world water monitor 18 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WMO

WMO - world water monitor 18 September 2025 ENG FRA

The world’s water resources face growing pressure from climate change while emergencies related to the vital resource are increasingly impacting lives and livelihoods, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Thursday.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Remarks to HRC 60 Urgent debate

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Remarks to HRC 60 Urgent debate ENG FRA

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addressed the Human Rights Council during a meeting on the Israeli strike on negotiators in Qatar on Tuesday. “Israel’s strike on negotiators in Doha on 9 September was a shocking breach of international law, an assault on regional peace and stability, and a blow against the integrity of mediation and negotiating processes around the world,” he said.

Gaza Al-Mawasi update - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF

Gaza Al-Mawasi update - UNICEF ENG FRA

Gaza: Thirsty and starving, war-battered families face ‘inhumane’ evacuation 

As bombs continue to fall on Gaza City as part of the intensifying Israeli military operation, families with starving children are being pushed southwards from one “hellscape” to another, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK ENG FRA

New UN Human Rights report finds 10 years of increased suffering repression and fear

The UN Human Rights Office on Friday published a report on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since 2014. 

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | UNICEF , UNHCR

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025 ENG FRA

The ongoing humanitarian response to the devastating Afghanistan earthquake disaster continued on Friday, although essential services have been cut for operational reasons following reinforced Taliban restrictions on women working with the UN, the global body said.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council ENG FRA

Un nouveau rapport du Haut-Commissariat des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme sur la République démocratique du Congo évoque le spectre de crimes de guerre et de crimes contre l'humanité dans le Nord et le Sud-Kivu., 

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025 ENG FRA

A high-level independent rights probe into the Sudan crisis on Tuesday condemned the many grave crimes committed against civilians by all parties to the war, citing disturbing evidence indicating that they had been “deliberately targeted, displaced and starved”.

Ukraine attacks - health update - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Ukraine attacks - health update - WHO ENG FRA

Ukraine: ‘Relentless’ attacks rattle health system as winter approaches: WHO

Ambulances attacked, chronically ill patients lacking care and no peace in sight: for millions of Ukrainians, the run-up to another winter of war is just the latest life-or-death challenge they face, the UN health agency (WHO) said on Tuesday.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report on Sri Lanka to 60th HRC

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report on Sri Lanka to 60th HRC ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his report on Sri Lanka to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his global update to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

DRC: UN report raises spectre of war crimes and crimes against humanity

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

DRC: UN report raises spectre of war crimes and crimes against humanity ENG FRA

A UN report on the Democratic Republic of Congo raises specter of war crimes and crimes against humanity in North and South Kivu, according to UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.