In a major international recognition, the Mangaluru-based Anti Pollution Drive Foundation (APDF) has been inducted into the Civil Society Commission of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Commission, formed to deepen engagement with civil society, focuses on advancing primary healthcare, gender rights, health equity, and community-led health initiatives.
APDF was selected from a competitive global pool of nearly 680 applicants after a rigorous multi-stage review by WHO. Its confirmation was conveyed through an official letter co-signed by Commission co-chairs Ravi Ram and Lisa Hilmi.
Known for impactful work in air quality management, sanitation access, and occupational health, APDF has led several notable initiatives including Smart Swaccha Mangaluru (with UN-Habitat), Shuddha Gaali, and Waste Wise Cities. These efforts merge grassroots involvement with data-backed policy advocacy.
Founder Abdullah A. Rehman welcomed the development, saying, “This inclusion validates our method of blending community engagement with evidence-based solutions. It also shows how smaller cities like Mangaluru can lead in public health innovation.”
The WHO Commission held its first general meeting in March 2024, during which it mapped a two-year action plan and established three working groups to facilitate global civil society participation.
APDF’s inclusion not only highlights its impactful work but also marks a significant step toward bringing voices from smaller, often overlooked urban centres into international policy-making spaces. It underscores the growing role of local organisations in shaping global health and environmental strategies.