The Kazakhstan-based foundation Almaty Air Initiative has announced its expansion onto the international stage. The global expansion will proceed under the brand name Taza Initiative, with Nepal becoming the first country where the model is being implemented. Earlier, this development was announced on social media by the founder of Almaty Air Initiative, entrepreneur and founder of inDrive, Arsen Tomsky.

Last week, the Kathmandu Clean Air Dialogue forum took place in Kathmandu. The expert platform was organized with the participation of Almaty Air Initiative and the inDrive team. The event was attended by the Minister of Forests and Environment of Nepal, Madhav Prasad Chaulagain.

Kathmandu, like Almaty, is a city where geography — specifically its location near mountains — intensifies winter smog. According to official data, air pollution causes more than 48,500 premature deaths annually in Nepal. For the country, this is not only an environmental and public health issue. In the context of global competition for talent, investment, and innovation, air quality is becoming an indicator of national resilience and competitiveness.

During the Dialogue, experts, representatives of academia, and civil society examined air pollution from the perspectives of science, public policy, and public engagement.

Zhuldyz Saulebekova, Executive Director of Almaty Air Initiative, stated:

“We see that air quality is an issue that unites cities around the world. Our experience shows that meaningful change begins with transforming public attitudes and elevating this topic to a top priority. The launch of Taza Initiative is a strategic step toward scaling a model successfully tested in Almaty: developing independent civic monitoring, strengthening data transparency, conducting scientific analysis of pollution sources, and building constructive dialogue among society, business, and government.”

Almaty Air Initiative will continue its work in Kazakhstan while simultaneously developing its global direction through Taza Initiative.

Background

The word “Taza” means “clean” in Kazakh. In Nepali, it has a similar meaning — “fresh.” This symbolic coincidence reflects the core value of what is now an international movement: every person’s right to breathe clean and fresh air.

The new brand will retain its Kazakh identity through the Kazakh element in its name and corresponding visual identity. At the same time, Taza Initiative will operate as an international platform uniting local teams, experts, and public institutions to achieve systemic change.