Clean Air Week

The Asia Pacific region continues to be at the forefront of the fight against air pollution. Countries in the region continue to experience the highest levels of ambient fine particulate matter PM2.5. Despite efforts to reduce air pollution in various subregions, most cities continue to experience high levels of ambient air pollution. Improving air quality can bring significant benefits that go beyond health, to confronting other crises such as climate change and sustainable development.

While the contribution of each source may vary depending on location, fossil fuel emissions from coal burning for power and heat, transport, industrial furnaces, brick kilns, agriculture, domestic solid fuel heating, and the unregulated burning of waste are considered the main sources of air pollution. But there has been some progress and cost-effective solutions to address air pollution exist and have been identified to address the major sources of air pollution.

In addition, regional cooperation will be vital to help address these challenges. The important role of regional cooperation has been emphasized by member states at the Sixth Session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) adopted a resolution on Promoting regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality globally.