Md Mojahidul Islam:
Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized the importance of a regional approach to combating air pollution, noting that 35% of Bangladesh’s air pollution is due to emissions from neighboring countries.
She stated, “If our neighbors are suffering from poor air quality, they have a vested interest in taking action. We must advance beyond political discussions to tangible commitments and regional cooperation.”
During her address at the World Bank’s South Asia Side Event of the WHO Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, Colombia, Hasan highlighted the need for stronger collaboration, referencing initiatives like the Kathmandu Roadmap and agreements among South Asian nations.
Addressing the audience virtually from Dhaka, she underscored the urgency of tackling air pollution in Bangladesh, particularly in the capital, where 30-35% of pollutants originate from outside the country. She pointed out that Bangladesh has made significant strides, such as finalizing the Air Quality Management Rules that align with WHO interim targets. These legally binding regulations establish emission standards for major polluting sectors and provide a framework for controlling both indoor and outdoor pollution.
“Although we completed our Air Quality Management Plan last year, implementation was stalled due to political unrest. With stability returning, we are now actively enforcing the plan, which aims to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants and increase the number of days with good and moderate air quality. A clear coordination mechanism will engage both public and private stakeholders in air quality management,” Hasan explained.
She also announced that the government, with support from the World Bank, is finalizing the Bangladesh Clean Air Project, expected to receive approval soon. This initiative will strengthen regulations, enhance enforcement, expand emissions monitoring in key industries, and modernize the public transportation system by introducing electric buses and establishing more vehicle inspection centers.
Enforcement remains a priority, including the establishment of brick kiln-free zones around Dhaka where brick burning will be banned. Starting in May 2025, old buses will be phased out under a joint initiative by the Ministry of Environment and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority. Hasan stressed the need to promote alternative construction materials in place of burnt bricks.
To combat dust pollution, which severely affects air quality, plans are in place to green uncovered roads in Dhaka and mobilize more workers for road cleaning. Recent crackdowns on illegal brick kilns have produced measurable improvements in air quality, but she cautioned that sustained progress necessitates stricter enforcement and modernization in key sectors.
Expressing her deep personal commitment to addressing air pollution, she noted its significant toll on public health, causing numerous deaths annually in Bangladesh and reducing life expectancy in heavily polluted cities like Dhaka by five to seven years.
“This is a crisis that impacts us all—our children, parents, and communities. The cost of inaction far exceeds the cost of action,” she asserted.
“I choose to be optimistic because I believe we can solve this problem. Solutions and technologies are available; what we need is commitment. Air pollution is not merely an environmental issue; it is a humanitarian crisis.”
The event was attended by health, environment, and energy ministers from South Asia, officials from national and intergovernmental agencies, health professionals, local authorities, planners, and representatives from various sectors, along with delegates from research, academia, and civil society. They collectively pledged to work together to reduce air pollution in South Asia.
