Global Clean Air Dialogue

Name: Global Clean Air Dialogue
Start: 2026-09-23
End: 2026-09-24
Location: Türkiye

23 - 24 September 2026

Istanbul, Türkiye

Overview

Background

Programme Day 1

Programme Day 2

The Global Clean Air Dialogue will bring together government representatives from different regions, international organizations, academia, research institutions and civil society to exchange solutions and strengthen global and regional cooperation for cleaner air.

Co-organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, UNEP, Climate and Clean Air Coalition, Forum for International Cooperation on Air Pollution and the Government of Türkiye, the Dialogue will build on recent international commitments and major air-quality initiatives. It will examine global and regional air-pollution trends, impacts and policy challenges, while showcasing evidence-based policies, legislation, tools and technologies that can deliver benefits for health, the environment and climate.

The two-day programme will address science-policy cooperation, regional frameworks, transport emissions, financing for clean-air solutions and effective communication of air-quality information to the public. Participants will also develop practical recommendations to support stronger air-quality policies and governance.

The Dialogue aims to:

increase awareness of emerging air-pollution trends and policy challenges;
share effective solutions with climate and sustainable-development benefits;
strengthen cooperation on air-quality monitoring, management and governance; and
identify practical recommendations for action at global, regional and national levels.

The event is organized with financial support from the European Union, Türkiye and the United Nations Development Account.

More information: https://unece.org/environmental-policy/events/global-clean-air-dialogue

Air pollution is one of the most pressing environmental and health issues globally. Outdoor pollution is responsible for approximately 5.7 million premature deaths each year, and its associated economic costs are estimated at USD 6 trillion annually, equivalent to nearly 5 percent of global GDP. In addition to its health effects, air pollution causes extensive harm to the environment. It contributes to ozone concentration and harms ecosystems, with long-term consequences for biodiversity and food security.

Moreover, pollutants such as methane and black carbon are potent short-lived climate pollutants, contributing significantly to climate change. Although air pollution affects everyone, people in low- and middle-income countries, as well as women, children, and the elderly, are disproportionately impacted.

The need for strengthened action on clean air has been recognised at the global level, most recently through the resolution of the UN General Assembly A/76/L.75 recognising the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 6/10, and the G20 ministerial declaration on air quality, among others. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition also launched its Clean Air Flagship to address this need.

While no global agreement to reduce air pollution exists to date, action has been taken at the regional level. For example, in addition to existing frameworks and initiatives in Asia (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia, and the Malé Declaration), the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific launched the Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution. Other regions have also established networks, including the Intergovernmental Network on Atmospheric Pollution for Latin America and Caribbean and regional agreements, such as the Lusaka, Nairobi and Abidjan agreements in the African region. The most successful and only legally binding agreement addressing air pollution covering several regions remains the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution of the UN Economic Commission for Europe.

Nevertheless, despite growing scientific evidence and strengthened policy and legal commitments, improvements in air quality have been uneven across regions. As urbanisation, industrialisation, and energy demand increase, stronger action is needed to better link science, policy, legislation, and innovation. Ambitious action on air quality also represents an opportunity to advance climate objectives and deliver economic benefits.

Time	Items
9:00–9:30	Registration
9:30–10:00	Opening remarks
	Session 1 – Setting the scene: What is the status of air pollution and air quality management policies around the world? This session will provide an overview of the status of air pollution, air quality management policies in the world, and recent global initiatives.
10:00–11:00	Keynote – Air pollution trends, impacts, and policies Current global and regional trends and emerging challenges on air quality. Impacts of air pollution on the environment and human health. Linkages between air pollution and climate change. Trends and challenges related to air quality management policies at the regional and national levels. Q&A
11:00–11:15	Coffee break
11:15–12:30	Advancing clean air: recent developments Recent initiatives to support action on clean air and at the global, regional, and national levels. Q&A.
12:30–13:30	Lunch
13:30–15:00	Session 2 – How to increase scientific and policy cooperation at the regional and national levels to develop evidence-based policies to address air pollution? This session will discuss discuss existing science-policy interfaces on air pollution, challenges related to these mechanisms, and lessons that could be learned from them. Introductory statements by the speakers on existing science-policy interfaces on air pollution. Discussion on challenges related to these mechanisms and how to increase cooperation between scientists and policymakers. Q&A.
15:00–15:30	Coffee break
15:30–17:00	Session 3 – Development and implementation of regional frameworks to address air pollution: successes and challenges This session will examine existing international and regional mechanisms, including their successes and challenges in addressing air pollution, and to identify lessons learned that can inform new and existing initiatives. Discussion on commonalities on areas of cooperation, new and existing policy mechanisms to address air pollution and what could be learned from existing mechanisms. Q&A.
17:00–17:15	Summary of Day 1 and closing
18:30–21:00	Dinner and cultural event

Thursday, 24 September 2026

Time	Items
9:00–9:15	Brief recap of Day 1
9:15–10:30	Session 4 – Spotlight on transport: one sector, many solutions This session will examine how practical, policy-based interventions can reduce emissions while delivering co-benefits for environment, climate, and health in a specific sector, such as the transport sector. Presentation on the role of transport as a driver of air pollution. Discussion on policy solutions and challenges to address air pollution from the transport sector at the regional and national levels, and how international and regional coordination and multilateral agreements can accelerate the development of national policies. Q&A.
10:30–11:30	Session 5 – How to unlock investment for clean air solutions? This session will explore how financing to reduce air emissions can be strengthened.
11:30–11:45	Coffee break
11:45–13:00	Session 6 – Practical recommendations for advancing air quality management policies at global and regional levels This session will develop practical recommendations that could be used by policymakers to improve air quality globally.
13:00–14:00	Lunch
14:00–16:00	Session 7 – Communicating air quality information to the public: from data to action This session will strengthen countries’ capacities to communicate air quality monitoring and management information to non-expert audiences, improve public understanding of air quality data, and promote effective, people-centered air quality communication systems that support policy action, behaviour change and accountability.
16:15–17:15	AQMx Workshop
17:15–17:30	Closing

Did you know?

Each year one third of global food production is lost or wasted.

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