A new World Health Organization (WHO) Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region will open this year in Seoul, South Korea, the WHO announced on Tuesday.

Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, and Minister of Environment of South Korea Cho Myung-rae and Mayor of Seoul Park Won-soon signed the agreement to open the centre on Tuesday in Seoul.

The centre will foster healthier and safer environments and strengthen community resilience to climate and environmental change in the WHO Western Pacific Region, said the WHO in a statement.

"Environmental pollution and climate change are among the greatest threats to health in our region. With the establishment of the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region, we will be able to step up our support to countries so that they can better protect people's health. Having the centre in Seoul will offer mutual benefits to WHO and the government of Korea and City of Seoul," Shin Young-soo said. Enditem