Background
The Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and its Likely Transboundary Effects for South Asia (Malé Declaration) was adopted at the 7th Governing Council of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), held in Malé in April 1998, following a round-table policy dialogue organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in March 1998 at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok. Representatives from the Ministries of Environment of South Asian countries participated in the meeting and agreed to initiate an intergovernmental network involving Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, the Republic of Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The Declaration emphasizes the need for countries to carry forward studies and programmes on air pollution at the national level.
To support the revitalization and effective implementation of the Malé Declaration, a monthly regional webinar series is proposed to promote peer learning and enhance scientific and policy dialogue on air quality and transboundary air pollution, in line with the resolutions of the Malé Declaration “Ambition to Action” meeting held in Bangkok in June 2025. The overall aim of the webinar series is to present progress on air quality management in South Asia at all levels and to reach out to young learners and practitioners who may not be able to travel to engage with resource persons. The knowledge gained will support them in formulating solutions to improve air quality in their communities and contribute to the implementation of high-level policies on the ground.
Objective
The specific objective of the second webinar, titled “Emission Inventory for Air Quality Management: Latest Development and Pathway towards Regional Database,” is to enhance discussion on the development of emission inventories (EI), which form the basis for air quality assessment, modeling, and policy-making in addressing transboundary air pollution. Emission inventories are often incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent across sectors and countries. Strengthening their development is therefore essential for accurate source identification, improved assessment of transboundary impacts, and the availability of data for regional cooperation in addressing air pollution challenges. The webinar will review current coverage and ongoing plans in South Asia, while facilitating learning from the experiences of experts working in the field, and exploring pathways towards establishing a regional emission inventory database for the Malé Declaration region.
Target Audience
The webinar is intended for government officials, technical experts, researchers, and practitioners working in the fields of air quality management, environmental policy, and climate change in South Asia. It also aims to engage young professionals, students, and early-career practitioners who are interested in air pollution and transboundary environmental issues. The webinar provides an opportunity for participants to learn from regional and international experts, exchange knowledge and experiences, and strengthen their capacity to contribute to improved air quality management and regional cooperation.
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