On April 23 in Astana, within the framework of the Regional Environmental Summit, the second high-level dialogue on air quality in Central Asia will take place. The key outcome of the meeting will be the announcement of the establishment of a Central Asian intergovernmental coalition on air quality — a new platform for coordinating efforts among the region’s countries.

Air pollution remains a serious issue for public health and the environment across Central Asia. Since major sources of pollution — industry, transport, and dust storms — are often transboundary in nature, addressing the problem requires joint efforts at the interstate level. The initiative to establish the coalition, proposed by Uzbekistan, is intended to serve as a unified platform for sharing experience and implementing joint solutions.

The event, organized with the support of UNEP and the World Bank, will bring together environment ministers from the region, as well as delegates from Azerbaijan and Japan. Among the distinguished speakers are expected to be UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and World Bank leadership. Participants will discuss the implementation of modern monitoring systems and emission reduction strategies, based on international standards and new analytical reports.

For the region’s population, this meeting signals a transition to a more active phase in the fight for environmental safety. The creation of the coalition will help countries more effectively attract investment in clean technologies and develop common approaches to make the air in Central Asian cities cleaner and safer for living.

ORIENT