Air Quality Report: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – A Sustainable Development Goals Perspective

1.0 Current Air Quality Status and Impact on SDG 3

As of 03:30 PT on September 23, 2025, the air quality in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 149. This level is classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” and positioned Bishkek as the 2nd most polluted major city globally at the time of reporting.

This situation presents a direct challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. The elevated concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Prolonged exposure is not recommended, undermining the goal of ensuring healthy lives for all citizens.

2.0 Annual Air Quality Analysis and Relation to SDG 11

While the current conditions are acute, the long-term air quality data for Bishkek indicates a chronic environmental challenge. The average PM2.5 concentration for the city in 2024 was 21.2 µg/m3, which corresponds to a “Moderate” AQI of 70. This annual average is 14 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended annual guideline of 5 µg/m3.

This persistent level of pollution directly impedes progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Specifically, it conflicts with Target 11.6, which aims to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by improving air quality. The data underscores a systemic failure to provide a safe and healthy urban environment for the residents of Bishkek.

3.0 Causal Factors and Broader SDG Implications

The poor air quality in Bishkek is attributed to a combination of factors, each with implications for various Sustainable Development Goals.

• Industrial and Vehicular Emissions: These are primary contributors to urban pollution, highlighting a critical need to advance SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by transitioning away from fossil fuels in transport and industry.
• Atmospheric Conditions: Seasonal atmospheric stagnation exacerbates pollution by trapping pollutants at ground level. This underscores the importance of urban planning and infrastructure development aligned with SDG 11 to mitigate such environmental effects.
• Regional Pollutants: Transboundary factors, including agricultural burning and wildfires, indicate that local efforts alone are insufficient. This calls for enhanced regional cooperation, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), to implement coordinated pollution reduction strategies as recommended by United Nations assessments for Central Asia.

4.0 Forecast and Recommendations for Sustainable Action

Short-term meteorological forecasts suggest a potential for temporary improvement in air quality later in the day due to shifting weather patterns that may aid in pollutant dispersion. However, these improvements are transient and do not address the underlying sources of pollution.

Achieving a lasting solution requires a multi-faceted approach rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals. Key actions should include:

1. Investing in clean energy infrastructure to reduce industrial emissions (SDG 7, SDG 9).
2. Promoting sustainable urban transport systems to lower vehicle exhaust (SDG 11).
3. Strengthening regional and international partnerships to manage transboundary air pollution (SDG 17).
4. Implementing robust air quality monitoring and public health advisory systems to protect citizens and advance SDG 3.

Without sustained and integrated policy action aligned with the SDGs, Bishkek’s air quality will remain a significant barrier to sustainable development, public health, and environmental integrity.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly connects poor air quality to human health. It states that the air is “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” and that such levels “pose risks particularly to sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.” This highlights the negative health impacts of environmental pollution, a core concern of SDG 3.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The entire article focuses on the issue of air pollution within a specific urban area, Bishkek. By identifying Bishkek as the “2nd most polluted major city in the world,” the text addresses the challenge of managing the environmental impact of cities, which is a central theme of SDG 11.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

  The article’s focus on the health risks posed by “elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter” and the classification of the air as “Unhealthy” directly relates to this target. The discussion of risks for individuals with “pre-existing health vulnerabilities” underscores the connection between air pollution and illness.

• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

  This target is directly addressed through the article’s detailed reporting on Bishkek’s poor air quality. The measurement of the Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5 concentrations are methods for paying “special attention to air quality” as specified in the target. The mention of causes like “Industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust” points to the sources of the adverse environmental impact of the city.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted).

  The article explicitly provides data for this indicator. It states that “the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Bishkek was 21.2 µg/m3.” This is a direct measurement used to track progress on Target 11.6.

• Indicator related to Target 3.9 (Implied): Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution (Indicator 3.9.1).

  While the article does not state a mortality rate, it provides the underlying data used to assess the health risks that contribute to this indicator. The PM2.5 concentration being “14 times the WHO annual guideline” and the AQI of 149 are direct measures of the pollution that leads to illnesses and deaths, thereby implying the relevance of tracking health impacts like mortality rates.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: iqair.com