Study Tour on Air Quality from Kyrgyzstan to the Republic of Korea

I. Background

Many countries in Central Asia, particularly Kyrgyzstan, are facing severe and persistent air quality challenges linked with rapid urbanization, rising vehicle fleets, the widespread use of low-quality coal for residential heating during the winter season, and limited air quality monitoring and regulatory capacity. These challenges pose significant risks to public health, environmental sustainability, and economic productivity, thereby constraining progress toward sustainable development.

Air pollution is directly addressed under SDG target 3.9, which aims to substantially reduce deaths and illnesses resulting from air pollution, and SDG target 11.6, which seeks to reduce the environmental impact of cities through improved air quality. It is also closely linked to SDG target 7.1 on access to clean energy to reduce household air pollution, SDG target 9.4 on cleaner and more resource-efficient industry, SDG target 12.4 on minimizing harmful emissions from chemicals and waste, and SDG target 13.2 on climate action with air-quality co-benefits. Together, these targets underscore air pollution as a cross-cutting development challenge requiring integrated policy, institutional, and technical responses.

In response to a formal request from the vice-mayor’s office of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, UNOSD conducted a scoping mission from 1-4 December 2025 to assess institutional, technical, and policy gaps in air quality management. The mission identified critical needs related to air quality mid- and long-term policies, air quality monitoring, and inter-institutional coordination. While some donor-supported initiatives are underway-particularly in monitoring infrastructure, there remains a need for an integrated, policy-driven approach that links data with regulatory action and long-term planning.

Against this background, UNOSD proposes to organise a 5-day air quality study tour to Korea for policy and technical officials from the Government of Kyrgyzstan. The Republic of Korea offers a relevant and practical pathway. Over several decades, Korea has transitioned from severe urban air pollution to a more comprehensive air quality management system through the introduction of national air quality standards, fuel and vehicle regulations, emissions control technologies, monitoring networks, modelling and forecasting systems, and economic instruments. Korea’s experience demonstrates how policy evolution, institutional coordination, and phased technical investment can jointly deliver sustained improvements in air quality. This study tour will be implemented in partnership with key institutions engaged in air pollution policy and management, including the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE), National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco), and the Metropolitan Quality Management Office.

The study tour will facilitate targeted knowledge exchange on air quality policy, science, and implementation, with a strong focus on practical lessons that can inform follow-up policy advice and potential ODA project development.

II. Objectives

The overarching objective of the study tour is to strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s national capacities for integrated air quality management through exposure to Korea’s air policy framework, institutional arrangements, and technical systems.

III. Methodology

The study tour will combine lecture-based learning, technical briefings, and field visits.

IV. Participants

The study tour is comprised of approximately 15 participants, mainly government officials from Kyrgyzstan’s local and central government involved in air quality policies, such as the President Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision (MNRETS), and the Ministry of Energy, Kyrgyz Hydromet under Ministry of Emergency Situations, as well as some experts from academia and private organizations relevant to air quality issues. Relevant government agencies, research institutions, academia, and other technical organizations from Korea will contribute to the tour as resource persons.

V. Language

Simultaneous interpretation between Korean and Russian (participants’ working language) will be provided.

VI. Organizers

This workshop is organized by the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment of the Republic of Korea (MCEE), National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Metropolitan Air Quality Management Office and Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco).