The event was organised by the International Dialogue for Environmental Action (IDEA) as part of the thematic day dedicated to sustainable cities and the urban environment. It brought together representatives of government institutions, international organisations and the expert community.

The discussion was moderated by Baroness Patricia Scotland, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and a member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre. The keynote address was delivered by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of the IDEA campaign. Other speakers included Rob Butler, Visiting Professor in Practice at the London School of Economics, and Rene Gift, UNEP Legal Officer on Environmental Governance and Air Quality Regulation. Erfan Ali, Director of UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, also took part in the event.

In his remarks, Timur Sabitov, Deputy Director of the National Centre for Climate Change, emphasised that ensuring clean air is one of the key prerequisites for protecting public health and improving quality of life.

“Clean air is not a luxury; it is a fundamental prerequisite for public health and well-being. While we can assess the economic costs of air pollution, the value of human life is beyond calculation,” he said.

He outlined three key national priorities for improving air quality and developing climate-resilient cities.

The first priority is to raise climate ambition and modernise urban infrastructure. In particular, Uzbekistan has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 50 per cent by 2035, compared to 2010 levels. Achieving this target will require the consistent adoption of modern approaches to urban planning and the development of environmentally sustainable infrastructure.

The second priority is to strengthen the air quality monitoring system. In this regard, he highlighted the expansion of the air quality monitoring network, the work of the Council on Air Quality Monitoring, and the measures being taken to reduce air pollution levels in the country’s cities.

Particular attention was also given to the impact of natural factors on air quality. Referring to a World Bank report, Timur Sabitov noted that natural dust can account for up to 60 per cent of air pollution during certain seasons, with its impact intensifying during periods of temperature inversion. 

Therefore, an effective monitoring system should go beyond measuring air quality to include the tracking and forecasting of dust and sandstorms.

The third priority is mobilising climate finance, including securing grant funding and technical assistance, modernising monitoring infrastructure and introducing advanced technologies.

At the same time, it was emphasised that improvements in monitoring must go hand in hand with concrete emission reduction measures and stronger enforcement against pollution sources. In particular, this requires strengthening environmental oversight of industrial facilities, ensuring compliance with established environmental standards, promptly identifying and preventing violations and taking appropriate action against individuals and organisations responsible for environmental pollution.

Particular emphasis should also be placed on introducing modern emissions treatment technologies, ensuring the proper operation of dust and gas purification equipment and preventing any circumvention of environmental requirements.

This comprehensive approach will make it possible not only to detect exceedances of permissible pollution levels in a timely manner, but also to achieve actual reductions in harmful emissions.

Uzbekistan’s participation in the discussion provided an opportunity to present the country’s experience and priorities in ensuring clean air, exchange practical approaches with international experts, and highlight the importance of integrated solutions that bring together urban planning, climate policy, modern technologies and international cooperation.