Statement by the UNRC in the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Antje Grawe

Minister Mashiev,

Mayor Djunushaliev,

Excellencies,

Distinguished members of the Inter-Ministerial Commission,

Development partners, Representatives of civil society and community leaders,

It is an honor to open this Second National Dialogue on Air Quality in 2025, together with Minister Mashiev—a sign of Kyrgyzstan’s growing determination to make its cities cleaner, healthier and more livable.

Let me begin by thanking the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, and Minister Mashiev personally, for convening us again, and for maintaining an open and inclusive platform where government, civil society, academia, youth and development partners can shape solutions together. I would also wish to acknowledge and thank the Ambassadors of the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as my colleagues from the ADB and WB for their participation in the opening segment – a reflection of the partnerships needed to advance the Government’s action plan.

The UN System in Kyrgyzstan is proud to support the Ministry once more in preparing this dialogue - held for the second time this year at the Minister’s request with UNEP’s financial and my office’ s organizational support. Thank you, dear colleagues from UNEP and my own office.

As we approach winter, this dialogue comes at an opportune moment. The first national stock-take earlier this year gave us a clear picture of priorities: Improving availability of air quality data, expanding clean air action to cities beyond Bishkek, accelerating the transition from coal to gas, and reducing emissions from transport and industry, also relevant to achieve the targets under the Updated Nationally Determined Contributions just submitted by the Government to UNFCCC Since the first dialogue, air-quality monitoring expanded to new sites; access to data is gradually

improving; and enforcement efforts addressed over four hundred recorded environmental violations being addressed. These are tangible signs that the system is beginning to work — from planning to action, and from data to results.

Building on that foundation, today’s discussion turns to one of the most critical sectors — transport. Analyses by the World Bank and UNEP confirmed that outside the heating season, transport is the largest single source of air pollution in Bishkek, responsible for nearly half of particulate emissions. Similar patterns appear in Osh, Manas and Karakol. This makes transport a logical focus for air-quality action — one that links mobility, urban planning and public health into a single policy conversation.

An aging vehicle fleet, low fuel standards and limited public-transport options have kept emissions high across Kyrgyz cities. Yet this is also where change can bring the fastest and most visible results – through cleaner and more efficient public transport, better traffic management and greener urban design, including through the wide-spread introduction of alternative mobility means such as bicycles.

The Government’s leadership in this area is already yielding results. Under the 2024–2025 Plan of Priority Measures to Improve Air Quality in Bishkek, 1,449 eco-friendly buses now serve the capital, including 120 electric ones. More than 1,500 diesel minibuses have been removed from central routes, over 7,000 trees have been planted as part of an urban-greening campaign, and the shift to cleaner household fuels continues. At the same time, it is important to recognize that tackling air pollution requires sustained cross-sector effort before the full benefits become visible.

The forthcoming post-2025 national air-quality management plan offers an opportunity to integrate lessons from the previous Plan as well as from our two Dialogues and – most importantly – extend efforts beyond Bishkek to all urban centers. The Government’s nine strategic steps — from scientific research and legislative reform to catalytic-converter programs, green construction and long-term urban planning — provide a strong framework for sustained progress in this regard. What is needed now is focused implementation and continued political and financial commitment from all partners.

The United Nations system is proud to accompany Kyrgyzstan on this path. OHCHR, UNDP, UNEP, UN-Habitat, UNICEF, WHO and other UN partners continue to support data, policy and capacity-building efforts. Through the Development Partners Coordination Council’s Technical

Working Group on Air Quality, co-chaired by ADB and UNEP, we are providing a platform where research, financing and technical assistance can be aligned.

I look forward to the outcomes of today’s dialogue, both the stock-take of action taken by all partners and the practical recommendations it will produce, including drawing lessons and best practices from other countries. These outcomes will help shape the forthcoming medium and long-term action plans and reaffirm Government’s leadership in making such multi-stakeholder dialogues regular practice.

Thank you.