National Lead Phase-out Workshops Planned in October 2009

A lead phase out workshop in Tajikistan is planned by the PCFV Clearinghouse. The workshop is planned to take place on 16-17 October 2009 in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Facilitated by the Scientific Information Centre Interstate Sustainable Development Commission in Tajikistan, the workshop offers an additional opportunity for the PCFV to meet its goal of global elimination in the use of leaded fuel.

When the PCFV started in 2002, almost all non-OECD countries were still using leaded gasoline. Since 2002, 66 countries have phased out leaded gasoline worldwide. Today the PCFV is close to achieving a global lead phase out, with over 99% of fuel sold being unleaded and only 14 countries still use leaded gasoline. Tajikistan and Afghanistan are two of those remaining 14. Phasing out lead will open the way to introducing clean vehicle technologies, such as the catalytic converter, and discussing further fuel quality improvements, such as lowering sulphur levels.

The objectives of the June mission include: holding a 2-day workshop in Tajikistan is to support national efforts in developing a lead phase-out plan; and initiating national sensitisation campaigns on the benefits of lead phase-out.