The UN resolution No. 74/212 of 19 December 2020, which declared the international day for clean air, urged stronger international cooperation at the global and regional levels in various areas related to improving air quality. These include collecting and using data, conducting joint research and development, and sharing best practices. Finally, the UNEA resolution No. 6/10 of 1 March 2024 called for the promotion of regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality globally.
An analysis by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), revealed that despite the significant progress that West Asia countries have made, more action is needed in several aspects, such as compiling emission inventories, enforcing regulations, adopting cleaner vehicles and fuels standards, enhancing air quality monitoring and data analysis, and communicating air quality information and public roles to the people.
In view of this, in 2023, UNEP West Asia Office, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), organised a regional consultation workshop that recommended the establishment of a Regional Air Quality Network for West Asia and requested UNEP to assess the status of air quality management and identity work priorities for the network as the first phase.
Given this, a regional air quality network meeting for West Asia is scheduled to take place in Amman, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, from 18 to 19 December, to further promote regional cooperation for air quality management.
Specific Objectives of the Consultation Workshop
· Strengthen regional collaboration on air quality management among West Asian countries by enhancing coordination, cohesion, and identify work priorities for collective action.
· Strengthen the national capacity of West Asian countries to effectively address air pollution through focused training modules.
