BAQ is Asia's leading event on air quality through the efforts of Clean Air Asia and partners, covering transport, energy, industry and climate change, with a particular emphasis on government policies and measures. Policy makers and practitioners meet at BAQ to network, learn and share experiences. Past BAQs have proven to influence policies, initiate new projects and establish partnerships.First organized as a local workshop by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2002, BAQs have become major regional events through the efforts of the Clean Air Asia and its partners. Clean Air Asia has co-organized regional BAQ conferences in Hong Kong (2002), Philippines (2003), India (2004), Indonesia (2006), Thailand (2008), Singapore (2010), and Hong Kong (2012).

BAQ is a 3-day conference with pre-events held in the days preceding the conference. The conference consists of the following:

• Plenary sessions: including an opening session on day 1 with welcome remarks, a keynote address and then handing out of the Kong Ha Award for Excellence in Air Quality Management; a plenary session on day 2 that highlights the host country/city’s efforts to improve air quality and related areas of climate change, energy and transport; a Clean Air Debate, and a closing session on day 3.

  
  

• Breakout sessions: these can take the form of presentations or panel discussions .Six breakout sessions are held, each covering specific topics grouped under the following themes:
• 1. Low Emissions Urban Development
• 2. Ambient Air Quality and Impacts
• 3. Air Quality & GHG Management
• 4. Transport Systems and Modes
• 5. Motor Vehicle Emissions and Fuels
• 6. Industry and Other Sources




• Country Roundtables: participants use Country Roundtables to discuss challenges that different developing Asian countries face. Each roundtable presents achievements and challenges, and a panel of country representatives suggests how challenges could be met, followed by often heated debates.




• Posters and Exhibition:The poster exhibit will present approximately 60 posters on academic research and on-the-ground projects in Asia. The BAQ Exhibition includes booths for (a) Host country (b) Clean Air Asia and Country Networks (China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam) (c) Sponsors (d) Partners and Supporting organizations.




• Social events: to provide opportunities for participants to interact: including a welcome reception by Clean Air Asia on the night before the conference (following the Clean Air Asia Partnership Meeting); a Conference Dinner on day 1 at a special location and traditionally hosted by the host city; and farewell drinks on day 3 at or close to the conference venue in a more relaxed setting.




• Press conferences and launches: press conferences are held every day supported by a media team that also prepares press releases. The Clean Air Asia and many of its partners use BAQ to formally launch publications or hold signing ceremonies under air quality or climate change related initiatives.




• Pre-events: are held during the two days preceding the conference by different organizations on a range of topics related to air quality, such as air pollution from power plants, fuel economy of vehicle fleets, public transport, or the co-benefits of climate change and air quality management. Pre-events can take the form of training courses, workshops, roundtable discussions, or field trips/excursions.

Read past BAQ Reports:

• 2012
• 2010
• 2008

Partners: Clean Air Asia Partnership members and host city and country Environment Ministry

Clean Air Asia contact:
Sophie Punte, sophie.punte(at)cleanairasia.org
Gianina Panopio, gianina.panopio(at)cleanairasia.org