Regional Consultations on Cooperation for Better Air Quality in West Asia

Overview

Air pollution poses a major threat to public health, the environment and the global climate. It is the world’s single largest environmental health risk. The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) passed resolution No. 1/7 on air quality in June 2014. This was the first global resolution of its kind. It recognized air pollution as a major challenge for human health, environment, economy and sustainable development.

In December 19th 2020, the UN resolution No. 74/212 declared the international day for clean air and urged stronger international cooperation at the global and regional levels in various areas related to improving air quality.

To mark the day, UNEP West Asia Office, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, is organizing a regional consultation workshop to foster regional cooperation for air quality management in the region. 

According to an analysis by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), West Asia countries have made significant progress in setting and implementing policies to improve air quality. However, the region would greatly benefit from joint planning, sharing data and best practices at the regional level.

Objective

The consultation meeting aims to foster a coordinated approach for air quality management in West Asia.

The specific objectives are:

• To enhance coordination and cohesion among West Asian countries on air quality management issues.
• To present and discuss the proposed establishment of a regional network for West Asian countries to collaborate on air quality management solutions