3 rd Governmental Meeting on Urban Air Quality in Asia

1. 3rd Governmental Meeting on Urban Air Quality in Asia 8 November 2010 Singapore

2. Third Governmental Meeting on Urban Air Quality in Asia • Held on 8 Nov 2010 at Suntec Singapore • Chairs • Mr. Joseph Hui, Director General, National Environment Agency, Singapore • Mr. IfthikarRahim Khan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Pakistan • Attended by national environmental ministries/agencies from 17 Asian countries • Organized by UNEP, CAI-Asia Center • Supported by Sida and UNEP PCFV

3. Meeting Objectives • To update on progress at the national level regarding the implementation of the Long Term Vision on Air Quality (LTV) in Asia • To discuss the way forward on the implementation of the LTV • To share information on other regional initiatives related to urban air quality management

4. Meeting Highlights • Overview of existing initiatives on atmospheric issues and related activities, e.g. Joint Forum on Atmospheric Environment in Asia and the Pacific and Global Fuel Economy Initiative, and Partnership on Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles • Overview of national ambient air quality standards and ambient air quality levels in Asian countries • Overview by participating countries on implementation of the LTV including: • current status of the air quality management at the national level • Government agencies involved in AQM • main tasks for the next two years • main challenges

5. Meeting Highlights; challenges • Institutional • Insitutionalizing AQM to ensure sustained efforts on AQM • Cooperation between different ministries and local agencies • Implementation of policies and measures • Aligning different policies relevant to AQM and climate change • Development of new and enforcement of existing legislation • Financial resources • Building capacity of stakeholders involved

6. Meeting Highlights; Priority areas (random order) • Air quality monitoring, emissions inventories, standards • Health effects and costs of air pollution • Clean energy/fuel • Vehicle emissions • Open burning of biomass • Standards and monitoring of pollutants of concern: PM2.5, O3, air toxics • Pollution control in industry, particularly high emission industry (e.g. cement, steel, power plants) • Co-benefits of air pollution and GHG emissions • Regional air pollution prevention and control within air basins • Transfer of cleaner technologies

7. Recommendations for next 2 years • Prepare overview of regional forums and networks, including activities, Secretariats and responsible organizations at the national levels to facilitate cooperation •  Conduct more health impact studies, particularly on the health cost of air pollution in Asian countries/cities, as a basis for policy development •  Optimize resources by sharing and aligning databases on air quality • Develop a Road Map for Improving Ambient Air Quality and Emission Standards in Asia • Develop a common framework air quality index for Asia • Develop mechanism for regional AQM (air basins) • Promote co-benefits approach for policies, programs