Against the backdrop of Lahore’s severe air-quality crisis, Pakistani experts expressed strong interest in the experience of the Almaty Air Initiative (AAI). The foundation uses technologies, data, media-creative projects, and participation in policy development to improve air quality. AAI presented the results of its work at the Clean Air Summit 2025, organized by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI).

Lahore is currently among the most polluted cities in the world: in winter, daily average PM2.5 concentrations reach 200–250 μg/m³ (13–16 times higher than the WHO daily guideline), while annual concentrations exceed WHO limits by twentyfold. For the city’s 14 million residents, this is a daily reality — a suffocating smell of burning, constant haze, and a rise in respiratory illnesses.

Against this backdrop, interest in Almaty’s experience is natural: over the past year, AAI succeeded in bringing the air-quality agenda into the public spotlight, significantly increasing awareness and generating public demand for concrete measures.

Zhuldys Saulebekova, Executive Director of AAI:
 “We did not come to Lahore with a ready-made recipe, but with the experience of turning an invisible problem into something clear and socially important. Our approach helps people see pollution sources, understand the consequences, and demand solutions. This first step is critically important for Lahore today. For us, working in other countries is an opportunity to refine our tools, test solutions in different conditions, and accelerate change in Almaty.”

AAI presented its key practices:
 – independent monitoring (170+ sensors) and a public dashboard;
 – behavior research and population surveys;
 – the use of AI to analyze pollutants, allergens, and particle movement;
 – awareness-raising campaigns — from documentary films to comedy shows;
 – participation in developing new air-quality regulations in Kazakhstan.

During the trip, the AAI team met with the Punjab Environmental Protection Department and visited local communities and historical districts.

According to Saulebekova, the visit was a strong professional and personal signal:

“In Lahore, we saw what could happen in Almaty if nothing is done: millions of people live in conditions even harsher than Almaty’s smog. We realized that our experience can truly be useful, and expanding our work beyond Kazakhstan helps us refine our approach and contribute to solving air-quality challenges at home and around the world.”

Background:

The Clean Air Summit 2025 is Pakistan’s first conference dedicated to air quality, organized by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) in partnership with the University of Management and Technology (UMT). Its goal was to bring together scientists, officials, experts, activists, and artists to outline the next steps in addressing the air-quality crisis.