A Multilateral Dialogue on Combating Transport Air Pollution is Taking Place in Bishkek

Сергей Гармаш • 23.10.2025, 10:58 • Ecology

On October 21, a multilateral dialogue was held in Bishkek dedicated to issues related to combating air pollution caused by transportation. The Minister of Nature, Meder Mashiev, noted that this is already the second forum on this topic; the first took place in February, at the end of the heating season. According to the minister, the situation with air quality in Bishkek and the Chui region is becoming increasingly serious. “We are actively addressing this problem and are already seeing some results. However, it is necessary to continue exchanging experiences with other cities that are successfully working to improve air quality. Therefore, our dialogue includes representatives from various institutions, scientific experts, and partners,” he added. According to data, as of 2024, there are 1,674,085 registered vehicles in Kyrgyzstan, of which 83% (1,392,737) are over 15 years old. In Bishkek, there are 426,946 registered vehicles, and 333,801 of them are over 15 years old. The Bishkek city administration reports that more than 750,000 vehicles are on the city's roads daily, although the capacity is only about 350,000. “This indicates that a significant portion of the vehicle fleet does not meet modern environmental standards. Moreover, the problems are exacerbated by the overload of transportation infrastructure, low fuel quality, and a lack of alternatives to personal transport. All of this makes air pollution a systemic problem that requires a comprehensive solution,” noted Mashiev. The minister also reported on a number of measures being taken to address this issue. In particular, a new interagency commission for improving air quality has been formed, operating in all regions of the country, not just in Bishkek and the Chui region. It includes representatives from 25 ministries and agencies, as well as 8 deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh. Among the initiatives is the transition to environmentally friendly transport. Bishkek has received over 1,300 ecological buses and 120 electric buses, each of which replaces an average of four diesel buses, reducing diesel fuel consumption by 100 tons per day. Currently, 1,014 ecological and electric buses are in operation, serving passengers. By the end of 2024, there are 3,535 registered electric vehicles in the country and 44 charging stations installed. Additionally, modern monitoring systems for pollutants are being implemented, which allows for increased accuracy in air quality control. As part of the modernization of the monitoring system, technical specifications for 11 automatic stations (6 in Bishkek, 2 in Osh, and one each in Kara-Balta, Tokmok, and Cholpon-Ata) were refined in collaboration with Kyrgyzhydromet, as well as the modernization of 8 manual and semi-automatic stations (7 in Bishkek and 1 in Osh), and probe equipment for monitoring temperature and inversion layers in Bishkek, Osh, and Jalal-Abad. The regulatory framework aimed at creating more effective mechanisms for regulating and controlling pollutant emissions is also being updated. “The national dialogue held in February of this year allowed us to assess the progress made and determine priorities. We emphasized the need for special attention to the transport sector, which is key in our fight for clean air,” concluded the minister. The dialogue includes Deputy Minister Asel Raimkulova, UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan Antje Grave, Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliev, ambassadors from China Liu Jiangping, Japan Goda Hideki, Korea Kim Kwanjae, France Nicolas Fay, Mongolia Gankhuyag Sodnom, the head of the World Bank office in Kyrgyzstan Hugh Riddle, the country director of the Asian Development Bank in the Kyrgyz Republic Zheng Wu, and the head of the UN Environment Program for Central Asia (UNEP) Aiday Kurmanova. Experts from various sectors and organizations also participated in the dialogue in an online format.

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