Air pollution leads people to be exposed to fine particles in polluted air that penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections. Industry, transportation, coal power plants and household solid fuel usage are major contributors to air pollution. Air pollution continues to rise at an alarming rate, and affects economies and people’s quality of life.

Air pollution threatens the health of people. New estimates in 2018 reveal that 9 out of 10 people globally breathe air which do not meet WHO Air Quality Guidelines. Air pollution burden of the Region is among the highest in the world. In 2016, an estimated 2.4 million premature deaths were attributed to air pollution. .