In a groundbreaking collaboration bridging continents and expertise, Kyrgyzstan and Japan are set to pioneer a revolutionary approach to tackling air pollution. Through a joint venture between leading universities, the ambitious project aims to harness satellite technology and advanced chemical modeling to revolutionize the way we understand and combat air pollution. The total budget of the project is 5 million US dollars.

The project, titled “Creation of an Air Pollution Assessment System based on Satellite Data and Regional Chemical Modeling”, has secured a coveted spot in the prestigious SATREPS program for the 2024 fiscal year. SATREPS, renowned as Japan’s largest scientific research grant, is synonymous with rigor and innovation, making this selection a testament to the project’s potential impact.

At its core, the initiative embodies the spirit of scientific diplomacy, uniting Japan’s technological prowess with Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to environmental stewardship. By leveraging Japan’s expertise in science and technology alongside Official Development Assistance (ODA), the project promises to usher in a new era of collaborative research aimed at addressing global environmental challenges. The program is a collaboration between the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), with support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Affairs (MOFA) of Japan.

Central to the endeavor is the establishment of a state-of-the-art scientific research center, the “Institute for Research on Air Pollution in Central Asia” (IRCAPS), within the Osh State University. This center will serve as the nerve center for pioneering research into air quality, equipped with instrumentation to monitor pollution levels in real-time.

The project’s reach extends beyond the laboratory, with specialized air pollution monitoring devices slated for deployment across key urban centers and regions in Kyrgyzstan, including Osh and Bishkek. These devices will provide invaluable data to feed into the national air pollution monitoring system, empowering policymakers with the insights needed to enact targeted interventions and policy measures.

Specialists from Osh State University are set to undergo comprehensive training at the prestigious Tokyo Medical and Dental University, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to spearhead research efforts upon their return.

Air pollution is currently the most serious environmental cause of disease, accounting for 12% of all deaths worldwide. In Kyrgyzstan in 2019, the share of cardiovascular diseases caused by air pollution was 18.6% of total deaths. In 2019, the share of respiratory diseases caused by air pollution was 31.4% of the total deaths.