Author: Aurélia Lemoine

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the EANET

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

27 October 2025 – Vientiane, Lao PDR

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC25) on the EANET was held from 20 to 22 October 2025, in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and online. The Session gathered over 50 representatives from the EANET Participating Countries, along with the Secretariat and the Network Center for the EANET, and observers from institutions interested in partnering with the EANET. The SAC25 served as a milestone meeting to review progress, assess EANET’s monitoring and research activities, and propose scientific recommendations on the Draft Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030) to the upcoming Twenty-seventh Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27).

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Opening Session

The SAC25 opened with welcoming remarks from Mr. Khamsene Ounekham, Director General of the Biotechnology and Ecology Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, who highlighted the importance of the SAC’s role in advancing atmospheric monitoring and regional collaboration. Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), underscored the region’s persistent air pollution challenges and called for stronger science–policy links, innovative monitoring, and integration of climate and nitrogen management. Ms. Yujeong Kim, Ad Interim Coordinator for the Secretariat for the EANET, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), emphasized the region’s progress and continued urgency in tackling air pollution, reflecting on EANET’s 25 years of achievements and upcoming plans, including drafting the Fifth Periodic Report on the State of Acid Deposition in East Asia (PRSAD5), and the next Medium-Term Plan for 2026-2030 aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

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Progress of EANET in 2024–2025

EANET continued to strengthen its Core and Project Activities under the current Medium-Term Plan (MTP) 2021–2025, advancing both its scientific and collaborative agenda.

Key highlights in 2025 included the organization of National Awareness Workshops in Lao PDR, and Mongolia, conducted in partnership with ESCAP’s Clean Air for Sustainable ASEAN (CASA) Project and the Northeast Asia Clean Air Partnership (NEACAP), respectively. These workshops contributed to raising awareness and strengthening technical capacity for air pollution monitoring and management in the region.

Promotion of data sharing with regional and global partners was enhanced, including through engagement with ESCAP’s Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution (RAPAP), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) data sharing platforms, and the World Health Organization (WHO)’s publication Air Quality, Energy and Health: Science and Policy Summaries. Significant progress was made on the drafting of the Fifth Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030), which will guide EANET’s next phase of strategic actions.

The Network Center presented updates on dry and wet deposition monitoring, catchment-scale ecosystem studies, and nitrogen management.

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Adoption of Key Scientific Reports

The SAC25 reviewed and adopted several key technical documents including:

  • The EANET Data Report 2024, featuring updated monitoring results on wet and dry deposition, ozone, and ecosystem impacts across 13 EANET Participating Countries.
  • The Report on the Inter-Laboratory Comparison (ILC) Projects 2024, confirming the analytical consistency and reliability of laboratory analyses across the network.
  • The Updated National Monitoring Plans (NMPs), underscoring Participating Countries’ continued commitment to harmonized methodologies and improved data quality.

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Strengthening Scientific Collaboration and Innovation

The SAC25 highlighted the importance of maintaining strong quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) systems, expanding data access, and fostering regional collaboration. The Committee endorsed the Guidelines for Establishing Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Networks (HAQMN) and the Technical Manual for Hybrid Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors, incorporating updates based on feedback from SAC24. These resources, developed with reference to standards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the European Commission (EC), will guide EANET countries in improving data reliability and calibration practices. EANET also continued projects on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) monitoring, PM₂.₅ source identification, and nitrogen management.

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Looking Ahead

Twelve Project Plans for 2026 were also reviewed, including initiatives on nitrogen deposition assessment, satellite-based air quality monitoring, sustainable agriculture for clean air, and leadership training in atmospheric environment management. Project leads interested in collaborating with the EANET through the EANET Project Fund presented their project plans during the meeting. The Project leads included the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Clean Air Asia, the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the Thailand Hub of Talents, and UNEP.

The SAC25 reviewed the Draft Medium-Term Plan (MTP) (2026–2030), which will guide EANET’s work for the next five years and reaffirmed EANET’s key role as a regional scientific network supporting cooperation and data-driven policymaking to improve air quality across East Asia.

Recommendations and outcomes from SAC25 will be presented at the Twenty-seventh Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27), to be held on 27-28 November in Bangkok, Thailand, back-to-back with UNEP’s Clean Air Week.

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Read the SAC25 Report of the Session.

View the photos on Flickr.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to the Secretariat for the EANET.

EANET’s 26th Senior Technical Managers Meeting Gathers in Manila

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

2 September 2025, Manila, Philippines

Senior technical officials from the EANET countries gathered for the Twenty-Sixth Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting (STM26) in Manila, Philippines, from the 2 to 3 September 2025, to review progress and plan national monitoring of Participating Countries, exchange scientific findings, and discuss the future direction of cooperative efforts under the upcoming Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030).

Hosted by the Government of the Philippines and organized by the EANET Network Center (Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, ACAP) with support from the Secretariat for the EANET, the meeting brought together over 50 experts from the 13 Participating Countries.

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Opening Session: Reaffirming Regional Commitment

In her welcome remarks, Engr. Maria Dorica Naz-Hipe, Assistant Director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Philippines, emphasized the importance of STM meetings as platforms for technical exchange and cooperation. She highlighted EANET’s role in ensuring data transparency, harmonizing monitoring practices, and enabling evidence-based policymaking to address air pollution challenges across East Asia.

Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of ACAP, echoed the call for collaboration, noting that EANET’s monitoring activities serve as the foundation for regional science-based policy decisions. He outlined key objectives of STM26, including reviewing the Preliminary Data Report 2024, the Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) results, and National Monitoring Plans (NMPs), as well as shaping the forthcoming Medium-Term Plan (MTP 2026–2030).

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Some participants at the STM26 meeting in Manila, Philippines on 2 September 2025

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Reviewing Progress: Strengthening Core Activities

The Secretariat reported on achievements since the last 26th Intergovernmental Meeting (IG26), including successful convening of Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting (SAC24) and IG26 in 2024, capacity-building workshops, and enhanced knowledge-sharing through outreach activities and material. The Network Center presented the Preliminary Draft Data Report 2024, covering wet and dry deposition, soil and vegetation, inland aquatic environment, and catchment-scale monitoring.

The 2024 ILC projects confirmed the importance of robust QA/QC systems. There were discussions on analytical methods for ammonium (NH₄⁺), where discrepancies between spectrophotometry and ion chromatography in some laboratories highlighted the need for capacity building and standardization. Countries were reminded to submit outstanding ILC data to finalize the report ahead of SAC25.

Each Participating Country presented the National Monitoirng Plan 2025 and its national monitoring priorities, challenges, and innovations. These inputs will inform the revised Summary of National Monitoring Plans to be presented at SAC25 in October in Lao PDR.

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Towards the Next Medium-Term Plan (MTP) for 2026-2030

The meeting discussed monitoring activities including QA/QC and analysis of monitoring data relevant to the draft Medium Term Plan (2026–2030). Progress on EANET Project Fund activities was also reviewed including Guidelines on Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Networks (HAQMN), Technical Guidance on VOC Monitoring and Catchment Monitoring/Analysis.

The meeting concluded with reflections on next steps, reaffirming the commitment of the Participating Countries to collaborative action on acid deposition and air pollution in East Asia.

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View the photos on Flickr.

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Photo credits: cover photo by Myk Miravalles, other photos, all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET Working Group Advances Medium-Term Plan Development and Project Proposals for 2026

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

14 August 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Working Group Meeting in 2025 (WG2025) on the EANET brought together over 60 participants virtually, including representatives from the 13 Participating Countries, UNEP, ACAP, the Secretariat and the Network Center for the EANET, and participants from other organizations presenting proposals for cooperation with EANET in 2026. The meeting mainly focused on the future direction of the network including on the review of the Second Draft Medium-Term Plan (MTP) (2026–2030) and proposed Project Activities for 2026.

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Opening Remarks

Dr. Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, highlighted the urgent need for stronger regional cooperation on air pollution, noting its growing recognition at global forums. He stressed that the new MTP will guide EANET’s future work and strengthen its role in regional and international initiatives.

Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), pointed out East Asia’s serious challenges with pollutants such as ozone and PM2.5. He underlined EANET’s valuable two decades of monitoring and called for the new MTP to also address wider issues such as climate change and nitrogen management.

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Shaping the Next Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030)

A central focus of the meeting was the consultation on the Second Draft Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030). Participating Countries welcomed the revisions made following the June 2025 Working Group Meeting on the First Draft of the MTP (2026-2030), noting significant improvements.

Countries highlighted the importance of leveraging new technologies while stressing the need for resource mobilization strategies to support the next MTP. The draft will undergo further written consultations until September, with the final version to be considered at the upcoming Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27) in November 2025.

Screenshot of some participants during the WG2025 virtual meeting

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New Project Activities Proposed for 2026

The meeting also reviewed nine draft Project Plans and two Concept Notes for 2026. These proposals cover diverse themes, including:

Proposed Project Plans (EPPs)

  1. EPP 2026-01: Accumulation of atmospheric nitrogen deposition data for sustainable nitrogen management in existing EANET monitoring sites
  2. EPP 2026-02: Fellowship for building leadership in Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Management in East Asia
  3. EPP 2026-03: Collaboration of Technical and Training (TNT) and capacity building program for personnel of the Participating Countries on monitoring
  4. EPP 2026-04: Webinar for understanding of influences by changing climate on air quality over East Asia
  5. EPP 2026-05: Capacity building webinar workshop on application of satellite observation for atmospheric environmental management
  6. EPP 2026-06: Methodological Study on PM2.5 Source Identification and Capacity Enhancement in EANET with Emphasis on Southeast Asia
  7. EPP 2026-07: Strengthening EANET Capacity in Financing Strategies for Project Planning and Advanced Methods for Monitoring of Air Pollution and Emissions
  8. EPP 2026-08: Driving Action through Data: Development of the EANET Data Dashboard
  9. EPP 2026-09: Enhancing Regional Understanding of Black Carbon Pollution through Integrated Monitoring Across EANET Countries

Proposed Project Concept Notes (PCNs)

  1. PCN 2026-01: Knowledge exchange and capacity strengthening on sustainable agricultural practices for clean air in Mekong region
  2. PCN 2026-02: Strengthening capacity on air quality legislation: Capacity building workshop on Law and Air Quality for EANET

Countries emphasized the need to prioritize projects within the scope of the EANET (based on its Annex to EANET Instrument) and encouraged expanding capacity-building initiatives.

All Project Plans and Concept Notes, with modifications when relevant, will be further considered at the upcoming Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting (SAC25) on the EANET held on 20-22 October in Vientiane, Lao PDR, before being submitted for final consideration and approval at the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental meeting on the EANET (IG27) in November 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Next Steps

EANET representatives will meet again in September during the Twenty-sixth Senior Technical Manager’s Meeting (STM26) in Manila, Philippines, followed by the SAC25 and IG27. The IG27 will review the Final Draft of the Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030) supporting EANET’s strengthened role in tackling air pollution and advancing regional cooperation in East Asia.

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Read the Meeting Report.

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Photo credits: green trees under white clouds (2020) by Boudewijn Huysmans; all other images: all rights reserved to EANET.

The Working Group Meeting on the First Draft of the MTP (2026-2030)

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

23 June 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

EANET held its Working Group Meeting (WG-MTP2025) virtually to discuss the First Draft of its Medium-Term Plan (MTP) for (2026–2030) on 10 and 11 June 2025, gathering over 50 representatives from the EANET 13 Participating Countries, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat and the Network Center for the EANET.

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Opening Remarks

In his opening remarks, Dr. Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action, United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the significance of the Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030) for guiding EANET’s future activities, promoting regional cooperation on air pollution, and encouraging active participation to enhance air quality and partnerships across Asia. He noted its alignment with international frameworks such as the UNEA-6 resolution on Promoting regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality globally. Prof. Meng Fan Deputy Director General, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), highlighted EANET’s key role in regional air pollution monitoring since 2001, emphasized the importance of its expanded scope to address broader environmental challenges, and called for continued cooperation, technological innovation, and integration of science into policy to strengthen its impact.

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Key Discussions

The meeting’s discussions focused on the three proposed outcomes of the First Draft MTP: (1) improved understanding of air pollution and atmospheric deposition, (2) better access to evidence-based policy information, and (3) enhanced regional cooperation. Countries acknowledged the improved quality of the draft since the Consultation Meeting on the Zero Draft of the MTP (2026-2030) held in April 2025, and offered suggestions for further clarification and streamlining.

Among other topics, participants discussed how new technologies could support existing ground monitoring. The scope of activities was reviewed to ensure consistency with the EANET Instrument and its Annex and the allocated budget considered. The need for clear definitions was emphasized, with agreement that further consultations during the Working Group Meeting in 2025 (WG2025) on August 7-8 would refine these areas.

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Screenshot of some participants at the WG-MTP2025 online meeting on 10 June 2025

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Path Forward to the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET

The Secretariat outlined the timeline for finalizing the MTP, including a follow-up consutation during the Working Group meeting in 2025 (WG2025) on 7 and 8 August 2025, and submission to the Twenty-fifth Scientific Advisory Committee meeting (SAC25) in October, and for consideration and possible adoption at the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27) on the EANET in November 2025.

The IG27 will be hosted by Thailand on 27-28 November, and will be held in Bangkok during the same week as UNEP’s Clean Air Week from 24 to 28 November 2025, further highlighting regional efforts to improve air quality.

As EANET moves toward its next five-year phase, the meeting reaffirmed the Network’s crucial role in driving cooperation, scientific exchange, and informed policy action across East Asia.

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Read the Meeting Report.

 

Photo credits: flamboyant blossom bloom red by Rakib Hosain (2020); all other photos: all rights reserved to the EANET.

The Consultation Meeting on the Zero Draft of the Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030) for the EANET

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

28 April 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Consultation Meeting on the Zero Draft of the Medium-Term Plan (MTP) (2026–2030) for the EANET took place virtually on 24–25 April 2025. The development of EANET’s next Medium-Term Plan for 2026-2030 is an important milestone and provides an opportunity to make EANET even more impactful and relevant in the region. The next five years of EANET’s work will also lead towards the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over 70 representatives from the Participating Countries, the Secretariat for the EANET hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and from the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) serving as the Network Center (NC) for the EANET, joined to discuss and review the Zero Draft of the MTP and provide strategic input.

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Opening Remarks

Dr. Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action, UNEP, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, opened the session by highlighting EANET’s progress in tackling acid deposition and air pollution, including its 2021 scope expansion to cover other atmospheric substances. He emphasized the network’s growing regional and global recognition, particularly through recent UN resolutions, and encouraged feedback on the Zero Draft Medium-Term Plan, reaffirming UNEP’s ongoing support.

Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), followed with remarks stressing the complexity of managing PM2.5 and ozone pollution, which varies by country and requires knowledge-sharing and multilateral cooperation. He pointed to rising pollutant concentrations as evidence that national efforts alone are insufficient and welcomed the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s work on Short-Lived Climate Forcers. He underlined the importance of co-benefits, nitrogen management, and strategic planning for EANET’s future, expressing optimism for meaningful discussions ahead.

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Key Discussions
Screenshot from some participants at the CM-MTP2025 meeting

 

The Secretariat and Network Center for the EANET presented the Zero Draft Medium-Term Plan, outlining proposed scientific, technical, and intergovernmental activities.

Key discussions focused on the Draft’s conceptual framework, existing Core and new activities, potential Project Activities, and indicative budgets. Participants, including EANET National Focal Points and Scientific Advisory Committee members, provided feedback and guidance to support the development of the First Draft MTP to be presented during the next working group meeting in June. They discussed air pollution components to prioritize, in line with the EANET’s defined scope included in the Annex to the Instrument.

They also stressed the importance of strengthening monitoring systems, exploring new and cost-efficient technologies as well as expanding capacity-building initiatives.

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Next Steps

The First Draft of the MTP (2026-2030) will be discussed at The Working Group Meeting on the Draft of the MTP (2026-2030) (WG-MTP2025), to be organized online on 10-11 June 2025. The final draft of the EANET MTP (2026-2030) will be deliberated for adoption at the 27th Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27) in November 2025.

The meeting concluded with a shared appreciation for the participants’ contributions and reaffirmed commitment to improving air quality in East Asia through collaborative action.

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Read the Report of the Session (available soon)

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Photo credits: Alocasia, aka Elephant’s Ear by Dawn McDonald (2021), all other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET Data Featured in two Regional and Global Air Quality Management Platforms – the RAPAP and AQMx Platforms

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

23 April 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

In 2022, ESCAP Member States adopted a Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution, and UNEP Member States in 2024, a resolution on Promoting Regional Cooperation on Air Pollution to Improve Air Quality Globally, which both include increased cooperation and knowledge exchange on air quality through online cooperation platforms, among others. EANET’s long-standing monitoring activities are being promoted in these multilateral platforms.

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What is the RAPAP Partnership and Coordination Platform?

Adopted in 2022 at the 7th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Committee on Environment and Development (CED7), the Asia-Pacific Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution (RAPAP)  aims to promote clean air for all in Asia and the Pacific through various action areas including air quality management, air quality monitoring and data sharing, best practices, capacity building and multilateral cooperation. In the Ministerial Declaration of the CED7, one of the RAPAP’s objectives is: “To establish an open regional platform for the exchange of information and best practices on air pollution challenges and solutions, as may be deemed necessary and appropriate by members and associate members of ESCAP”. The RAPAP Partnership and Coordination Platform was established following this Ministerial Declaration and formally launched during the Fifth Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) Joint Forum in March 2025 in Yokohama, Japan.

Showcasing National Plans, multilateral mechanisms, stakeholder lists, resources, live air quality data, and events, the platform is a repository for air quality actions and tools in Asia and the Pacific. The Live Air Quality Monitoring page links to various regional and global platforms including the European Space Agency (ESA), the Air Quality Index China (AQICN), and the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) Republic of Korea, among others.

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What is AQMx?

The 6th edition of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in February and March 2024 adopted a resolution on Promoting Regional Cooperation on Air Pollution to Improve Air Quality Globally which encourages Member States to continue their efforts to improve air quality by working on national air quality programs and standards. Through this resolution, Member States requested UNEP’s Executive Director to form an air quality cooperation network to raise awareness of air pollution’s impacts and the importance of mitigation actions, supporting capacity building and collaboration. It also referred to building an updated global online platform for information-sharing and communication on air quality.

Following this, the Air Quality Management Exchange Platform – AQMx – was developed by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), as a component of the CCAC Clean Air Flagship, in response to the need to build capacity for air quality management worldwide and to provide tools to support governments, in line with UNEA’s resolution on Promoting Regional Cooperation on Air Pollution to Improve Air Quality Globally. The platform is mainly composed of two parts: a Resources Exchange Library and the “Curated Guidance” section which aims to, in its first stage, provide a “top 10” list of actions for air quality managers to prepare a comprehensive air quality management planning.

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How is EANET monitoring data promoted?

EANET data is shared in the AQMx Resource Exchange Library where users can access the EANET monitoring page and download the EANET Data Reports.

In the RAPAP Platform, EANET is presented in the Multilateral Mechanism section of the platform which includes an overview of the EANET and various resources such as EANET data and reports.

Screenshots from the AQMx (left) and RAPAP (right) platforms

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The launch of the RAPAP and AQMx platforms reflects growing regional and global efforts to strengthen cooperation on air pollution. By promoting long-standing efforts such as EANET’s monitoring activities across multiple platforms, these frameworks not only enhance transparency and capacity building but also reinforce the collective commitment of countries to tackle air pollution and protect public health and the environment.

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Access EANET Data on the EANET Monitoring Data page.

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Photo credits: white clouds over blue mountain (2021) by Praveen Thirumurugan; all other images: all rights reserved to CCAC and ESCAP.

Considering Volatile Organic Compounds Emission Inventories and Their Policy Implications: Insights from the EANET Workshop in 2024

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

20 March 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Network Center for the EANET organized a virtual workshop on the Emission Inventory of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and its Application for Policy Consideration on December 4, 2024. The workshop consisted of two sessions: expert lectures and participant presentations. The first session covered key topics such as the importance of developing an emission inventory for atmospheric environmental management, methodologies to estimate VOCs’ emissions from stationary sources, the transportation sector, and biogenic sources. It also included air quality modeling of VOCs and control measures for VOCs. Participants shared the status of VOCs management in their respective countries and discussed ideas for EANET’s involvement in addressing VOCs’ issues. Approximately 60 participants attended the workshop.

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Exploring Emission Inventory Methodologies and Applications: Insights from Experts

Dr. Jun-ichi Kurokawa, from the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research serving as the Network Center for the EANET, delivered a lecture on the introduction of emission inventories, focusing on their roles in managing atmospheric environmental issues and the basic methodology to develop an emission inventory, particularly for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions from stationary sources. The presentation began by highlighting the necessity and framework of air quality management, emphasizing the importance of VOCs and emission inventories. For methodologies, general procedures to develop emission inventories were explained, following the process flow of the development from defining the scope and structure to create emission tables and gridded data. Next, the methodology for estimating VOCs emissions from stationary sources was presented. This included details of sector categories, examples of fugitive emissions characteristics of VOCs sources, collecting and setting activity data, emission factors, removal efficiencies, speciation to components, and calculating emissions to create final products. References for methodologies to develop emission inventories were also introduced.

Dr. Tazuko Morikawa from the Japan Automobile Research Institute delivered a lecture on the methodology for estimating emissions from road transport. The lecture began with an overview of global changes in passenger cars and heavy duty vehicles, including electrification targets for passenger cars aimed at mitigating both climate change and air pollution. Next, the necessary information for developing emission inventories for the road transport sector was detailed. This included characteristics of gasoline and diesel vehicles, methods for calculating tail pipe emissions, the definition and estimation of evaporative emission from gasoline vehicles (which are particularly important for VOCs), and component species of VOCs in emissions from the road transport sector. Finally, bioethanol-blended fuels originally introduced to mitigate climate change were discussed due to their impact on air pollutants emissions.

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Screenshot of some participants during the Workshop

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Dr. Justin Sentian, from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia, delivered a lecture on VOCs emissions from biogenic sources. Biogenic VOCs (BVOCs) are organic compounds emitted by plants and other biological sources. Although these are natural sources, the importance of BVOCs was highlighted due to their strong impact on the formation of ozone and secondary PM2.5. Understanding the contribution of BVOCs is essential for developing effective policies to control anthropogenic VOCs emissions. The lecture also covered the recent status of BVOCs emissions and case studies for Southeast Asia, including future simulations under different climate scenarios. Since BVOCs emissions are significantly influenced by temperature, climate change impacts BVOCs emissions, which in turn affects ozone and PM2.5 concentrations.

Dr. Satoru Chatani from the National Institute for Environmental Studies presented a lecture on the air quality modeling of anthropogenic VOCs. The lecture began by introducing the necessities and roles of air quality simulations for VOCs, which help understand complex physical and chemical processes, including non-linear relationships among NOx, VOCs, and ozone. Next, the treatment of VOCs and their photochemical reactions was explained, including popular chemical modules and VOCs speciation used in air quality models. Application methodologies of air quality models to analyze VOCs issues were then introduced, covering validations and evaluations of simulated results based on monitoring data. This highlighted the importance of monitoring of VOCs and their components. It was emphasized that air quality modeling is essential for developing effective strategies to suppress ambient concentrations of secondary pollutants.

Dr. Shinichi Yonemochi from the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama delivered a lecture on control measures of VOCs using the case of Saitama Prefecture of Japan. The lecture began with an overview of the current and historical backgrounds of Saitama Prefecture focusing on the status of ozone pollution. Regulations of VOCs in Saitama Prefecture, including legal measures and voluntary actions by companies to reduce VOCs were explained.

Next, trends in VOCs emissions from major sources in Saitama Prefecture were presented to demonstrate the effects of these regulations. Examples of actual control measures were introduced, includingVOCs’ emission control techniques, VOC measuring instruments, and experiences using them in various applications such as for outdoor painting and the cleaning process for printing machines.

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Addressing the Status and Issues of VOCs: Perspectives from Participants

During the second session, participants exchanged information on VOCs related issues in their countries, including the general status of air quality, specific topics such as the management of the petrochemical industry, and the progress and challenges in developing VOCs emission inventories. As in previous workshops, many countries identified the continuous enhancement of national emission inventories as a challenge and expressed the desire for additional EANET projects focusing on capacity-building activities. Suggestions included not only webinars but also on-site training courses for major source categories of the emission inventory. The Network Center for the EANET, as the workshop organizer, will assess potential future activities through the EANET Project Fund.

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Find out more about the EANET Project Fund.

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Useful Resources

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Photo credits: aerial photography of interlocking freeways with travelling cars by Ed 259 free of copyrights (2017); other pictures: all rights reserved to EANET.

Understanding Air Pollution and its Sources, Weather, Climate, and Topography in Malaysia: Insights from the EANET Awareness Workshop in 2024

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

6 March 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

The EANET National Stakeholder Awareness Workshop “Understanding Air Pollution and Its Sources, Weather, Climate, and Topography in Malaysia,” took place on 26 November 2024 at the Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia. Over 65 participants (in-person and online) gathered to discuss air quality management in Malaysia. The audience included academics, researchers, professors, and representatives from various government agencies focused on environmental conservation and sustainable development.

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Promoting EANET Activities and Environmental Initiatives

Co-hosted by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the workshop aimed to understand Malaysia’s specific air quality and environmental challenges, support the implementation of related projects in collaboration with the EANET, and foster the development of new initiatives to combat air pollution and acid deposition. These efforts align with EANET’s the broader goal of addressing acid deposition and air pollution more effectively.

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Opening Remarks: Malaysia’s Commitment to Air Quality

The workshop was inaugurated with Ms. Roslinda Binti Ulang, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Malaysia, and Malaysia’s National Focal Point for EANET, delivering the Opening Remarks. She welcomed participants and reflected on Malaysia’s 28 years of active participation in EANET. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to tackling air pollution and acid deposition, underscoring its dedication to environmental sustainability.

Following this, Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET, introduced EANET’s expanded scope, which includes broader air quality monitoring activities. He provided insights into EANET’s organizational structure, data-sharing protocols, and funding mechanisms while setting the stage for the expert presentations.

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Opening remarks by Ms. Roslinda Binti Ulang, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and Malaysia’s National Focal Point for EANET

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Expert Presentations on Air Quality Management

The Awareness Workshop brought together experts who shared insights on air quality management in Malaysia and in the wider region.

Prof. Meng Fan, Deputy Director General of the Network Center for the EANET at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, provided a regional perspective on environmental challenges and collaborative solutions in his presentation on “Air Quality and Acid Deposition in EANET.” Ms. Norazlinda Ismail, Principal Assistant Director at the Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Malaysia, highlighted national strategies and initiatives in air quality management. Prof. Dr. Mohd Talib Latif, Chairman of the Department of Earth Sciences and Environment at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the President of Malaysian Association for Aerosols and Air Quality Research (MAAQR), explored the complex interplay between pollution sources, weather, and climate in shaping Malaysia’s air quality. Dr. Ahmad Fairudz Jamaluddin, Director of the Atmospheric Science and Cloud Seeding Division at the Malaysian Meteorological Department, discussed key monitoring practices and trends related to acid deposition, global greenhouse gases, and the background aerosol monitoring network in Malaysia. Additionally, Dr. Noor Zaitun Yahaya, President of the Clean Air Forum Society of Malaysia (MyCAS) and Senior Lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, introduced innovative AI-based methods for acid deposition analysis in Malaysia.

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Advancing Knowledge and Collaboration for Cleaner Air

The EANET National Stakeholder Awareness Workshop in Malaysia served as an important platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. By bringing together experts and stakeholders, the event fostered discussions on actionable strategies to improve air quality management. The insights shared during the workshop contribute to ongoing efforts in environmental sustainability and air pollution mitigation in Malaysia and beyond.

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Malaysia currently serves as the Chair of the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG) on the EANET since November 2024, until a new Chair is elected in November 2025. Find out more about the next EANET events in 2025.

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Useful Resources

Download the panelists’ presentations:

 

Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

Highlights of the EANET Online Seminar on Particulate Matter and Haze in Southeast Asia

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

12 February 2025 – Niigata, Japan

The EANET Online Seminar for Particulate Matter Problems including Haze in Southeast Asia took place on 20 December 2024. Organized by the Network Center for the EANET, it gathered 88 participants, from the EANET Participating Countries and beyond, to discuss the various effects of PM/Haze pollution on ecosystems and human health.

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Opening Session

Prof. Fan Meng, Deputy Director General, of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, ACAP (the Network Center for the EANET), delivered the Opening Remarks. He highlighted the need for integrated approaches to address shared challenges, particularly in cooperation between EANET and the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).

Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET delivered the Welcome Remarks. He emphasized the importance of understanding pollution sources, meteorological influences, and the need for collaborative efforts among scientists, government officials, and intergovernmental bodies like ASEAN to mitigate this problem.

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Effects of Particulate Matter (PM) in the Atmospheric Environment in East Asia

Mr. Wiraditma Prananta, from the Environment Division at the ASEAN Secretariat highlighted ASEAN’s commitment to addressing transboundary haze pollution through the Second ASEAN Haze-Free Roadmap 2023–2030. He outlined the historical impacts of haze pollution, ASEAN’s adoption of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), and the development of successive haze-free roadmaps, with the current one aiming to eliminate haze by 2030 through strategies such as sustainable land management and enhanced monitoring. The roadmap emphasizes regional and subregional activities, sustainable peatland management, and a haze knowledge portal while addressing challenges such as resource mobilization and root causes of fires. Mr. Wiraditma Prananta concluded with a call for collaboration among stakeholders to achieve a haze-free region and improve environmental and air quality standards by 2030.

Mr. Zhong-Yi Chia, from the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre (ASMC) explained the small haze dispersion modeling efforts at ASMC, focusing on the integration of fire hotspot emissions, weather forecasts, and observational data to predict haze spread. He highlighted the challenges of modeling in the tropical region, such as thick cloud cover, transient weather phenomena, and limited ground observation coverage, while detailing the use of tools such as the United Kingdom’s Met Office’s Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME) model and wildfire emission estimations based on fire radiative power and land cover maps.

Dr. Eric Zusman, from the Integrated Sustainability Centre, Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES) focused on addressing haze pollution in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the need for multi-level and multi-stakeholder solutions, particularly through the implementation of a roadmap running from 2023 to 2030. The roadmap includes nine strategies targeting PM2.5 pollution and haze episodes, aligning with the World Health Organization’s air pollution standards and promoting evidence-based, integrated approaches tied to climate, biodiversity, and development goals. Key challenges to implementing solutions, such as open burning restrictions, stem from social, institutional, economic, and technological barriers. He advocated for enabling environments, awareness programs, and innovative governance models to overcome these barriers, leveraging both cooperative and competitive frameworks for scaling effective solutions.

Panelists from the EANET Online Seminar on Particulate Matter and Haze in Southeast Asia

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Overview of the Scientific Knowledge on PM Pollution in Other Regions

Dr. Jan Eiof Jonson from the Meteorological Synthesizing Centre-West of EMEP (MSC-W of EMEP), Norwegian Meteorological Institute, focused on the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution under United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), addressing environmental challenges such as acid deposition, air pollution, and wildfire impacts. He highlighted the establishment of monitoring centers across Europe and North America to track emissions, pollutants such as PM 2.5, and their transboundary effects. Pollution reduction trends, driven by legislation, are noted, though discrepancies in reporting and uncertainties remain. Satellite data and emission datasets including the Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS) and FINN v2.5 are utilized for monitoring wildfire emissions and assessing their effects on air quality and climate. Key challenges include differences in emission estimates, injection heights, fire radiative power, and regional variability. He stressed the need for global collaboration and further refinement in modeling to support effective policy development, particularly in Europe.

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Closing Session

Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of ACAP, delivered the Closing Remarks. He emphasized the importance and common challenge for all countries in Southeast Asia to gain a better understanding of the status of PM health pollution and to explore the best solutions to reduce it. He concluded by expressing hope that this workshop would be a good opportunity to strengthen collaboration between EANET and the ASEAN.

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Find out more on EANET Project Fund and EANET Projects.

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Useful Resources:

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Photo credits: featured image by Michael Chacon (2019); all other images: all rights reserved to EANET.

Measuring air pollutant emissions: EANET strengthens capacity in developing national emission inventories

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

30 July 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

A regional orientation session for the Regional Capacity Building Programme on Air Pollution Emissions Inventory kicked off on 8 July 2025, drawing environmental professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss emission inventories, data systems, and regional collaboration. The session marks the launch of a multi-phase capacity-building regional programme aimed at strengthening national air quality management and is jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Asia-Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP), the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), in partnership with EANET.

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About the Programme

The initiative is part of the Regional Capacity Building Programme on Air Pollution Emission Inventory for the Asia Pacific Region, which seeks to strengthen institutional capabilities and support the development of more effective, evidence-based air quality management tools across the region.

UNEP, with support from the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea and in partnership with AIT, is leading this initiative. The programme offers a structured curriculum combining theoretical learning, case studies, practical assignments, group work, interactive sessions, field-based exercises, and site visits. Training will take place from June to September 2025, including online sessions in July and an in-person component at the AIT campus in Bangkok, Thailand, in September. More details on the curriculum and selection criteria are available in the programme’s Concept Note.

This regional programme is generously supported by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea as part of EANET Project Activity 2025-06, titled “Development of methodology and guidelines for national emission inventory and capacity building program for Southeast Asia.” This activity, approved at the Twenty-Sixth Session of the EANET Intergovernmental Meeting (IG26), contributes significantly to EANET’s regional collaboration and technical capacity-building efforts.

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Opening Remarks: Emphasizing Regional Collaboration

In her opening remarks, Ms. Shin Bong-Ju, Deputy Director of the Air Quality Division at the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, emphasized the importance of emission inventories as the foundation for effective air quality management. She shared the vision behind the programme and encouraged stronger cooperation across borders to combat air pollution.

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Programme Structure and Curriculum

The session featured a detailed overview of the training programme, presented by Ms. Kaye Patdu, Programme Management Officer – APCAP at UNEP, and Interim Coordinator for EANET Secretariat, and Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Associate Professor at AIT. The programme consists of three phases:

  1. Orientation Session (completed on 8 July 2025)
  2. Online Training Workshops on 17, 24, and 31 July 2025
  3. In-Person Workshop from 9–12 September 2025 at AIT in Pathum Thani, Thailand.

The curriculum includes six modules, beginning with an introduction to emissions inventory, followed by data collection and management. It then covers sectoral emission estimation, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), and the use of tools for inventory development. The final module focuses on reporting and the application of emission inventories in policymaking.

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Engaged and Diverse Participation

The orientation session welcomed 30 participants from across the Asia-Pacific region, including representatives from: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Participants—many of whom are actively engaged in EANET activities—shared their backgrounds, goals, and expectations. They expressed a strong interest in learning new tools and methodologies to support evidence-based policymaking and improve national emission inventory systems.

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Screenshot from some participants at the orientation session on 8 July 2025.

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Closing and Next Steps

Ms. Ji Hyun Lee, Senior Programme Management Officer at UNEP, delivered the closing remarks. She encouraged participants to stay actively engaged and reiterated the importance of sustained regional collaboration. She also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea for their generous support.

This training series directly supports EANET’s core mission to enhance cooperation, harmonize air quality data, and build capacity among Participating Countries to address atmospheric deposition and related air pollution challenges.

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Find out more about the EANET Project Fund.

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Photo credits: cover photo by Prasopchok (2024); all other photos: all rights reserved to AIT.