CAN Step Up 2026 Kick-off Ceremony | Dr. Ko Wing-man: Clean Air is Vital for Individuals, Families and Societal Development
HONG KONG, September 6, 2026 – In conjunction with the United Nations’ International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on September 7, Clean Air Network (CAN), the only dedicated air-issue focused not-for-profit in Hong Kong, officially launched the “CAN Step Up 2026” campaign today. The campaign rolls out a series of clean air promotional activities, workshops, and a charity vertical walk, aiming to raise public awareness of the importance of indoor air quality.
The kick-off ceremony was graced by prominent leaders as officiating dignitaries, including Dr. Ko Wing-man, Executive Council Member; Mr. Bernard Charnwut Chan, Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; Prof. K C Chan, Chairman of the Hong Kong Listed Companies Association; Prof. Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist at the Institute for the Environment of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; and Dr. Daniel Ng, Founding President of the Asian Paediatric Pulmonology Society. Representatives from numerous renowned sponsors and partner organizations were also in attendance.
(Officiating guests jointly officiated the “CAN Step Up 2026” kick-off ceremony)
Dr. Ko Wing-man highlighted the critical impact of clean air on individuals, families, and society at large, ” urbanites spend most of their time indoors, yet they pay little attention to indoor air quality, overlooking the wide-ranging benefits that clean air brings—including health, economic gains, and the learning and development of young people. We must foster collaboration across all sectors and take concrete action to transform air from an invisible backdrop into a valued public asset.”
(Dr. Ko Wing-man, Executive Council Member, delivered a speech at the kick-off ceremony)
Mr. Bernard Charnwut Chan shared insights on the importance of clean air to cultural and economic development. Prof. K C Chan approached the issue from a business and market perspective, emphasizing that good air quality enhances the business environment and competitiveness. Prof. Christine Loh encouraged the public to take practical actions to improve air quality and advance sustainable development, while Dr. Daniel Ng discussed the profound long-term implications of air quality for public health.
(Prof. Christine Luk, Mr. Bernard Charnwut Chan, Prof. K C Chan, and Dr. Daniel Ng (from left to right) discussed the far-reaching significance of improving indoor air quality from cultural, business, public health, and practical perspectives)
Dr. Clive Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Network (CAN), remarked, “Today, leaders from all sectors gathered to support CAN Step Up, collectively bringing fresh energy to the clean air movement, raising public awareness of indoor air quality, and combining physical exercise with clean air advocacy to advance the vision of ‘Clean Air for All’. ”
CAN Step Up also offers participants a range of exclusive and exciting workshops that incorporate clean air knowledge, including magic performances, urban exploration activities, a sports and nutrition session, and career development and life coaching workshops. The campaign has received corporate sponsorship support from CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, China Mobile Hong Kong, China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited, MTR Corporation Limited, H Properties, Dah Chong Hong Holdings Limited, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl), Kanine, Institute of Life, and UNDERBOBO. The venue for the launch ceremony was sponsored by Deloitte China.
(Leaders from various sectors gathered to support “CAN Step Up”, making joint-effort to raise public awareness of indoor air quality)
During the ceremony, students from Diocesan Boys’ School performed “Stepping Up Together,” an original song created for CAN Step Up, bringing youthful energy to the event and calling on the public to care about air quality issues.
(Students from Diocesan Boys’ School performed the original song “Stepping Up Together”)
Clean Air Network launches the “CAN Step Up” Virtual Charity Walk to encourage the public to incorporate vertical walking into their daily exercise routines, raise awareness of the importance of clean air, and raise funds to advance the vision and mission of “Clean Air for All.”
The “CAN Step Up” Virtual Charity Walk (www.canstepup.org) will be officially held from November to December this year. The event offers a highly flexible participation model, allowing participants to choose their own time and route based on their capabilities and preferences. Participants may challenge themselves across three cumulative time categories based on individual or team goals: 100 minutes, 500 minutes, and 1000 minutes. Registration is now open following the kick-off ceremony. Participants can sign up for a variety of exclusive and exciting workshop activities.
(Dr. Clive Lee, CEO at Clean Air Network, introduced “CAN Step Up” and announced a series of exclusive and exciting workshops that incorporate clean air knowledge, including magic performances, urban exploration activities, sports and nutrition session, and career development and life coaching workshops)