On May 29-30, 2025, seminars on “Regulatory Legal Acts and Provisions in the Field of Atmospheric Air Protection and Practical Obligations of Enterprises” were held in the cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad. These events took place within the framework of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek’s project “Promoting Green Economy and Environmental Governance.”

The seminars were organized by the Aarhus Center in Osh in cooperation with the Osh and Jalal-Abad regional departments of the Service for Environmental and Technical Supervision (SETS) under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic (MNRETS KR).

Participants in the events included representatives from municipal enterprises “Avtouna,” “Tazalyk,” “Teplosnabzheniye,” the Municipal Housing and Communal Enterprise, as well as companies involved in the production of construction materials and metal processing. Also present were owners of public catering facilities, employees from the Osh and Jalal-Abad regional departments of MNRETS KR, Osh and Jalal-Abad regional departments of SETS, environmental monitoring sectors of the Osh-Batken and Jalal-Abad regional departments, eco-activists, specialists from the Youth Affairs Committee under the Osh City Hall, and the Aarhus Center in Osh. A total of 42 people attended the seminars.

At the opening of the seminars, speakers including the director of the Aarhus Center, heads of environmental services, and an OSCE representative highlighted the importance of these seminars and called on participants to cooperate closely and strictly adhere to the requirements of atmospheric air protection legislation.

A. Matisaev, a specialist from the Aarhus Center, familiarized participants with the center’s activities and presented on “Atmospheric Air Pollution: Causes and Consequences,” showcasing specially prepared video materials.

B. Kaldarali kyzy and A. Irisaliev, state inspectors and deputy heads of the Osh and Jalal-Abad regional departments of SETS under MNRETS KR, thoroughly explained the requirements of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Atmospheric Air Protection,” liability measures, and fines for violations.

K. Zakirov and G. Zhusupova, heads and state inspectors of the Environmental Monitoring Sectors of the Osh-Batken and Jalal-Abad regional departments under MNRETS KR, gave presentations on “Emissions at Enterprises (harmful gases and substances discharged into the atmosphere)” and “Monitoring and Laboratory Control.” They also spoke about the activities of their sectors in the field of atmospheric air protection.

E. Atabaeva and M. Duvanakulov, state inspectors and heads of the environmental expertise departments of the Osh and Jalal-Abad regional departments of MNRETS KR, discussed the registration of dust and gas treatment plants, obtaining permits for pollutant emissions into the atmosphere, calculations of normative emissions, reporting, and the development of environmental passports for enterprises.

Seminar participants asked questions of interest and received comprehensive answers from the specialists.

In conclusion, the seminar participants provided the following recommendations:

Strictly comply with the requirements of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Atmospheric Air Protection.”
Use high-quality coal at enterprises.
Conduct outreach among the population in the private sector.
Implement new technologies and use modern methods for treating pollutants, and utilize alternative energy sources in production.
K. Isabaev, Director of the Aarhus Center, expressed gratitude to all participants and called for continued cooperation.

Ata Bek Matisaev, Specialist at the Aarhus Center in Osh.