BANGKOK — Better Air Quality (BAQ) Conference 2026, bringing together policymakers, scientists and environmental experts from across Asia and beyond to address the region’s growing air pollution challenges.

The conference served as a key platform for governments, research institutions and international organisations to share strategies aimed at improving air quality and protecting public health. The event focused on practical solutions for reducing emissions, strengthening environmental policy and advancing clean technologies.

Participants included representatives from national and local governments, academic institutions, development agencies and non-governmental organisations. The Better Air Quality Conference is part of a long-running regional initiative that promotes collaboration on air pollution management in Asia. The 2026 conference highlighted innovative approaches to reducing pollution in rapidly growing urban areas. Workshops, panel discussions and technical sessions allowed participants to exchange research findings and policy experiences.

Bjarne Pedersen, executive director of Clean Air Asia

Bjarne Pedersen, executive director of Clean Air Asia, said BAQ is the largest conference in Asia focused on the links between air pollution, climate change and public health.

“The essence of BAQ is to bring all stakeholders together from across the region to focus on finding solutions and, most importantly, implementing them,” he said in an interview. “We all want clean air and better health for everyone. We want to breathe clean air, and the conference brings the major players together to achieve that goal.”

Pedersen said one of the conference’s major achievements was the launch more than five years ago of a guidance framework for improving air quality in Asian cities. The framework has since become a leading blueprint for urban air quality management and is being followed by several cities across the region. He said the conference has also helped broaden the regional conversation beyond air pollution alone. “Over the years we have managed to elevate the discussion to include air pollution, climate and public health,” he said. “When we address climate and air pollution together, we also improve public health and sustainability for the region.”

Another initiative launched at the most recent BAQ conference was a regional exchange of experiences programme designed to encourage Asian cities and countries to learn from one another. “In the past, many places looked outside the region for best practices,” Pedersen said. “But Asia already has a lot of valuable experience. It is important that cities and countries learn from each other.” He pointed to emerging cooperation between Beijing and Bangkok as an example of that approach. The partnership aims to help other cities in the region understand how to improve air quality for their residents. Pedersen said such collaboration could help Bangkok accelerate efforts to reduce air pollution beyond the progress already achieved.

Despite improvements in Thailand’s air quality, Pedersen said the country now faces a more complex next phase of reforms.

He said Thailand has already made progress by implementing relatively straightforward measures, often described as “low-hanging fruit” that can quickly reduce emissions. “The next step usually requires bigger and more coordinated investments,” he said. “That includes infrastructure changes, expanding public transport, transitioning to cleaner energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.” Those challenges, he said, will shape Thailand’s next stage of air pollution policy.

Pedersen also addressed delays surrounding Thailand’s proposed Clean Air Act, which has yet to be implemented. “My recommendation is not to wait,” he said. “The issue is urgent, and there are actions that can already be taken to reduce pollution.” He said investment in cleaner urban transport systems should continue, including partnerships between the public and private sectors to expand electric mobility and charging infrastructure. Authorities should also prepare for a shift in pollution sources, he said.

Once transport emissions decline, industrial pollution often becomes more prominent. “Small and medium-sized enterprises will need support in reducing their emissions,” he said. Pedersen added that Thailand should also develop a clear roadmap for transitioning its energy system toward renewable sources. Finally, he said the country should focus on reducing so-called “super pollutants”, particularly methane, which can deliver rapid environmental benefits in the short term. “Methane reduction is a critical short-term measure,” he said.

Thailand’s role in tackling air pollution

Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana, director of the Centre of Excellence on Air Pollution and Climate

Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana, director of the Centre of Excellence on Air Pollution and Climate, said Thailand’s role as a co-host allows the international community to see the measures the country has taken to address air pollution. “It shows what we have done to solve air pollution problems and allows us to share our experience with other countries in Asia, some of which have even poorer air quality than we do,” he said.

Dr. Supat said air quality in Bangkok has improved compared with a decade ago. Levels of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs, have fallen by about 30% over the past 10 years. He cautioned, however, that progress takes time and requires sustained policies. “Measures that have been implemented are gradually reducing pollution levels,” he said.

Thailand previously set its annual PM2.5 standard at 25 micrograms per cubic metre, which was achieved in 2023. However, Dr. Supat said authorities chose to tighten the standard rather than remain satisfied with meeting the existing threshold. The annual standard has since been revised to 15 micrograms per cubic metre, aligning with the World Health Organization’s interim target level three. “In many areas of Bangkok today, the levels are already below that standard,” he said. “It is gradually improving, but it is not yet the best level. We still have to continue.”

Dr. Supat said road transport remains the main source of pollution in Bangkok, meaning stricter vehicle controls are needed. Thailand’s emission standards for new vehicles are now close to those used in Europe, although the Euro 6 standard has not yet been fully enforced for heavy trucks.

He said full implementation could significantly reduce emissions by requiring diesel vehicles to install particulate filters in exhaust systems, technology older engines lack. “In the past, whatever the engine emitted simply went straight into the air,” he said. “We have to rely on technology to help reduce emissions, and for that we need regulations to support it.” Thailand’s fuel quality standards, he added, are already on par with those in Europe and meet international benchmarks.

Dr. Supat said one policy approach discussed during the conference that could be applied in Bangk...

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