BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. Air pollution monitoring is underway in the Caspian region as part of a joint Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan pilot project, IDEA Campaign expert Elnur Safarov said at an event "Breathing Life into the New Urban Agenda: Integrating Air Quality and Green Infrastructure for Resilient Cities" within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.
He noted that the direction of wind currents and regional atmospheric circulation in the Caspian Sea region significantly impact the spread of air pollution.
"In the study we conducted two years ago, we investigated not only pollution, but also the processes taking place in the Caspian Sea and the impact of wind currents on evaporation and sea level. The studies showed that eastward wind currents are increasing, replacing northward currents, that is, winds from Central Asia are beginning to dominate the surface of the Caspian," he explained.
Safarov pointed out that warm and dry air currents from Central Asia increase evaporation on the surface of the Caspian Sea and, at the same time, cause the transport of pollutants to the region.
"These air currents carry pollutants from areas such as Tashkent, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan, including the Absheron Peninsula, Baku, and Sumgayit," he stressed.
The expert also noted that the decrease in sea level in the Northern Caspian basin and the transformation of drying areas into sources of salty dust will create serious environmental risks in the future.
"As a result of the decrease in water in the northern Caspian region, salty dusty areas may form, and the wind will carry these particles back to the region. This has already begun to be observed and increases health problems, including allergic and asthmatic diseases," he added.
According to Safarov, the use of modern technologies is important for a more accurate assessment of the spread of air pollution.
"We can no longer be satisfied with on-site measurements alone. We need to more accurately model atmospheric processes with satellite observations, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and geographic information systems," he clarified.
The expert highlighted that Azerbaijani and Uzbek specialists are working on a joint project.
"In our pilot project, measuring stations will be established in Baku, Absheron, and Sumgayit. The Uzbek side will develop 72-hour regional weather forecasting models. The goal is to more accurately monitor the movement of pollutants from Central Asia across the region," he emphasized.
In conclusion, Safarov noted that effective combat against air pollution is impossible without regional cooperation and scientifically based monitoring.
Today marks the fourth day of WUF13 in Baku.
The first day included a ministerial meeting dedicated to the New Urban Agenda, a ministerial roundtable, assemblies for women and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban prosperity. An official ceremony marking the raising of the UN and Azerbaijani flags also took place.
The second day stood out for the inaugural Leaders' Summit, featuring high-level discussions on the global housing crisis, urbanization policy, and urban resilience. Concurrently, the opening of the Mexico City pavilion took place, serving as a significant platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin American region and preparing for WUF14.
The third day of WUF13 featured a comprehensive program of events covering the global housing crisis, the formation of safe and inclusive cities, climate resilience, artificial intelligence and urban governance, green urbanization, social equity, and sustainable transport.
WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” the forum brings together governments, international organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development.
