Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, hosted the official launch of Taza Initiative Nepal, marking a new international milestone for the Almaty Air Initiative. Led by Executive Director Zhuldyz Saulebekova, the foundation presented a project dedicated to improving air quality, raising environmental awareness, and safeguarding public health.

The event featured findings from a survey of 1,200 residents across the Kathmandu Valley. While 81.2% of respondents recognize air pollution as a serious health hazard, 94.1% still rely on sensory cues—such as smell, reduced visibility, or eye irritation—to gauge air quality. Furthermore, six out of ten respondents do not know where to find real-time, objective pollution data.

As Roshani Giri, Executive Director of Taza Initiative Nepal, highlighted, these findings reveal a significant gap between public awareness of the issue and access to credible air quality data.

To bridge this gap, Taza Initiative Nepal plans to deploy an independent air quality sensor network, launch open-access environmental data platforms, and conduct public educational initiatives. This will provide residents with actionable insights into the air they breathe, while equipping policymakers and urban experts with the evidence base needed to implement effective anti-pollution measures.

The launch of Taza Initiative Nepal represents a key milestone in the Almaty Air Initiative’s international growth. The foundation is scaling the model developed in Almaty—uniting scientific research, innovative technology, civic engagement, and public-private partnerships to drive systemic improvements in air quality and defend the right to clean air.