US Ambassador Addresses Air Pollution in Tashkent
Air Quality in Tashkent Requires Urgent Action, Say US Diplomats
The environmental situation in Uzbekistan, particularly in Tashkent, has taken a turn for the worse in recent times. The air quality in Tashkent has been labeled as some of the worst in the world due to the high levels of toxic particles in the air. Even the occasional rain does little to improve the situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended levels for air quality that are being exceeded by several tens of times on some days.
US Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick, and Director of the USAID, David Hoffman, addressed the issue at a meeting with journalists on January 10, 2024. They emphasized the urgent need for joint efforts to improve the air quality in Uzbekistan, including Tashkent.
The US diplomats stressed that air pollution is a personal problem for everyone and that it affects not only individuals but also their families and children. They called upon the public to encourage the government to study the problem and take necessary measures to address it.
The US Embassy’s air quality monitoring device had stopped working on January 9 but was reported to be back in operation. Ambassador Henick expressed their commitment to independent assessment of air quality and welcomed cooperation with the government, media, and civil society organizations in monitoring air quality across the republic.
Henick also highlighted the importance of identifying the sources of air pollution and the measures and investments needed to address the problem. He acknowledged that the government cannot solve the issue alone and called for collective efforts to tackle the problem.
David Hoffman, head of the USAID office, echoed the sentiments, emphasizing the need for efforts at both the government and civil society levels to improve the situation. He mentioned the need for increased access to public transport and investments in the development of the sector, as well as regulation and planning for businesses and industries.
Hoffman drew parallels with the air quality challenges faced by big cities like Los Angeles in the past, where government and civil society efforts had helped to improve the situation. He called for similar measures to be taken in Tashkent to address the current air pollution crisis.
The US diplomats’ statements come at a critical time as Tashkent grapples with severely polluted air. Urgent and coordinated action is required to address the air quality crisis and protect the health and well-being of the city’s residents.
