The representatives from government, academia, civil society, and private sector provided recommendations on the next phase of the partnership, including proposed focus on synergies of air quality and climate action, solutions for ground-level ozone, and mobilizing finance. New initiatives were launched including the (a) Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution (RAPAP) Online Partnership and Coordination Platform by UNESCAP, the (b) Clean Air and Climate Solutions for ASEAN (by CCAC); and (c) the South Asia Finance Facility for Acceleration and Leverage (SAFFAL Climate Tech for Women) by UNEP and Massive Earth Foundation under the EmPower Programme. The forum was organized in support of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) Resolution 6/10 on Promoting regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality.

Dr. Vanisa Surapipith, AIT-RRC.AP’s Head of Air Pollution Cluster, participated and served as the panelist in session 4: Thematic discussion on technology and innovative solutions to improve air quality. She reviewed the Malé Declaration, which is set to be revamped with new solutions aimed at combating air pollution in South Asia. She also introduced a new AIT RRC.AP project titled “Tackling open climate science questions and building consensus on black carbon.” This project, funded by the Clean Air Fund through Stockholm University, brings a new approach towards co-benefits.