Challenges

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, faces chronic air pollution challenges, particularly during the cold season when household heating and emissions from outdated vehicles contribute to dangerously high PM2.5 levels. Multiple assessments since 2020 have outlined the scale of the problem, its health and social impacts, and recommended policy responses. However, the coordination of these efforts across government levels and between international partners has been fragmented. The multi-stakeholder dialogue held in February 2025 aimed to unify these diverse efforts, review the implementation of the national Clean Air Action Plan, and facilitate knowledge exchange with international experts. It provided a platform for Kyrgyz stakeholders to take stock of actions and set forward-looking priorities, while learning from the experiences of countries like China, Serbia, and Mongolia who face similar challenges.

Toward a Solution

To consolidate national and international clean air efforts, a high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue titled “Progress Review of Clean Air Action in Kyrgyzstan: Connecting Partners and Initiatives for Enhanced Impact” was held on 26 February 2025 in Bishkek. Hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision (MNRETS) with support from UNEP, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, the event brought together over 120 in-person and online participants.

The dialogue aimed to review the implementation of Kyrgyzstan’s Plan of Priority Measures to Improve Air Quality in Bishkek (2024-2025), take stock of progress by diverse partners, and map out short-, medium-, and long-term actions. It engaged national authorities, international organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector in a participatory review of policies and practices.

A unique and defining feature of the event was its emphasis on South-South and triangular cooperation. By including country case studies from Mongolia, Serbia, and China – each at different stages of addressing urban air pollution – the event created space for mutual learning across development trajectories.

• German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology shared how community-level and academic collaboration are shaping clean air initiatives in Ulaanbaatar.
• Serbia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection detailed Belgrade’s efforts in air quality governance and emissions management.
• Energy Foundation China provided insights from Beijing’s long-term, large-scale air quality improvements, underscoring the role of multi-sectoral governance and investment.

The diversity of these case studies highlighted that all countries – regardless of whether they are just beginning or have made significant progress – have valuable insights to share. This horizontal learning is especially critical for transboundary issues like air pollution, where no single blueprint fits all.

Sessions were designed to encourage open exchange: the first half of the day focused on Kyrgyzstan’s national progress and challenges, including results form a newly published Clean Air Action Review (2018-2024). The second half centered on international experiences and thematic discussions, including sector-specific action planning.

Key outcomes included:

• Strong reaffirmation of high-level political support, including from the Cabinet of Ministers and the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan.
• Enriched policy dialogue through exposure to practical tools and successful strategies from peer countries.
• Concrete, context-sensitive recommendations for action, captured in an outcome document to inform ongoing national planning and donor coordination.

Technical, the event was feasible thanks to coordinated leadership from MNRETS, UNEP and the convening power of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan. Its sustainability lies in the strong interest from government and partners in continuing multi-stakeholder cooperation on air quality.

The format of the dialogue, particularly the inclusion of peer countries from different contexts, is highly replicable in other regions. With appropriate political engagement and facilitation, this model can help other countries bridge the gap between local realities and global best practices.

A key lesson learned is that solutions are more likely to be adopted when peers – not just donors – demonstrate their viability. By enabling countries to speak to each other as equals, this dialogue reinforced the power of South-South learning to accelerate shared progress on the SDGs.