Building a Clean Air Future in Central Asia: High-Level Regional Policy Dialogue

The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, the World Bank, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) co-organized the first High-Level Central Asia Policy Dialogue. The event, held under the slogan "Building a Clean Air Future in Central Asia," aimed to advance harmonized regional action and knowledge exchange to prevent air pollution. Senior government officials from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan attended the dialogue.

Air pollution is a global problem, with nearly seven million people dying annually from diseases attributable to breathing polluted air, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Beyond human health impacts, air pollution results in enormous welfare losses estimated at over $8 trillion annually and causes significant environmental damage. 

In Central Asian countries, like elsewhere, air quality in urban and rural areas is affected by transboundary pollution caused by local pollution from fossil fuel combustion for industry, heating and transport, as well as by intensifying sand and dust storms.

Most air quality-related diseases and premature deaths in the region are linked to particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5). Concentrations of this pollutant in major cities in Central Asia frequently exceed the WHO Ambient Air Quality Guidelines multiple times, especially in winter, when the heating sector operates intensively. According to IQAir, Central Asiaʻs cities often rank among the world’s most polluted.

To address air pollution as part of Central Asia governments’ ambitious goals to green and decarbonize their economies, they are intensifying efforts to improve air quality management (AQM). The countries recognize that this challenge requires collaborative, comprehensive, and multisectoral efforts at local, national, and regional levels across multiple stakeholders and development partners.

Adopting health-based air quality standards, implementing comprehensive air quality management strategies and policies, deploying advanced air pollution forecasting tools, and fostering regional cooperation to tackle local and transboundary pollution are ways by which Central Asian countries can achieve their common development goals.

“Uzbekistan, like other Central Asian countries, is facing challenges related to air pollution, and we understand that this problem requires urgent and effective measures. We recognize the importance of cooperation and the exchange of experience in this area, as environmental problems have no boundaries. I believe that this event will become a fruitful platform for sharing knowledge, discussing promising approaches, and developing specific measures aimed at improving the quality of atmospheric air in our countries,” stressed Jusipbek Kazbekov, Deputy Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan.

Transboundary cooperation in reducing air pollution requires close collaborative efforts across diverse stakeholders and across boundaries to align national policy priorities and share knowledge, good practices, and lesson learned.

Therefore, the First High-Level Regional Policy Dialogue "Building a Clean Air Future in Central Asia" convened policy and decision-makers and stakeholders from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and leading air quality experts from other countries of Asia and Europe.

The event participants reviewed AQM policies and practices to prevent air pollution in their countries, explored data sharing methodologies on its implications, and identified priority areas for accelerated regional collaboration in air quality management. The participants resolved to deepen regional cooperation in this area and to strengthen policies and practices in their countries to improve air quality.

“Air quality management is a complex challenge that requires understanding where the pollution comes from and prioritizing actions in those sectors.  This will take better data, stronger regulations that are harmonized across borders, credible institutions, and clean infrastructure. Working together, the countries can clean the air across Central Asia," noted Valerie Hickey, Global Director for Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy, World Bank.

“Air pollution knows no borders, so cooperation between Central Asian countries on this is crucial. This dialogue will help boost investment in clean air for a healthier Central Asia,” said Sylvie Motard, Regional Deputy Director, UNEP Europe Office.

Contacts:

World Bank

Mirzo Ibragimov, External Affairs Officer, World Bank Office for Uzbekistan, mibragimov[at]worldbank.org

UNEP

Alejandro Laguna, Head of Communication, UNEP Europe Office, laguna[at]un.org

Further resources

• UNEP's work on air quality
• Pollution Action Note – Data you need to know
• Spotlight on chemicals and pollution action