Author: Sirinart Suanyam

25 February 2020 – Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

The Secretariat for the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET), in collaboration with the Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) and the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), organized the EANET National Awareness Workshop in Myanmar from 24-25 February 2020 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

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The Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony was attended by the Union Ministers for the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Deputy Ministers for the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Permanent Secretaries for the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, and, the Ministry of Education, Head of Departments. In addition, representatives from the Secretariat for the EANET, Network Center, government officials, academicians, non-government organizations and private sectors also attended the opening ceremony.

A total of 60 delegates and participants from different sectors, such as agriculture, industries, transport, forestry, agriculture, health, and education, as well as policymakers attended the workshop.  They consisted of representatives of government officials, civil society organizations, development agencies, universities and representatives from the private sector. The two days’ workshop aimed to facilitate sharing and learning platforms and to increase understanding of issues related to the prevention of air pollution and to increase knowledge and understanding of workshop participants in managing air quality in their work.

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The Welcome Remarks

In his Welcome Remarks, Mr U Thant Sin Maung, Union Minister for Ministry of Transport and Communications, mentioned that air pollution, especially transboundary haze pollution, has become the most prominent and pressing environmental problem in the ASEAN region.

“In order to solve the pollution, we need to review the relevant national policies and legal framework, linking with existing and upcoming laws, policies and regulations to detect and monitor current on pollution sources constantly. It is also required for preventing and reducing air pollution to improve air quality globally through its monitoring and assessment activities linked to advanced technology,”

Mr U Thant Sin Maung.

The Minister mentioned the need to take response actions for climate change mitigation measures, awareness-raising to all relevant stakeholders, capacity building, and integrated approaches for national and international cooperation in implementing sustainable development of the environment. He believed that EANET activities are playing a critical role to provide a better understanding of the consequences of air pollution and acid deposition on human health and the natural environment.

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The Workshop

During the workshop, the experts from EANET and invited participants shared presentations and discussions on the current status and development of acid deposition and air pollution monitoring activities in EANET member countries, effects of climate change on acid deposition and air pollution. They also led group discussions on the current situation, challenges and effective implementation for mitigation of air pollution.

The participants had the opportunity to discuss challenges, opportunities and potential solutions on air-pollutions and acid deposition problems from different sectors’ point of view.

 

 

 

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Discover all pictures from the event on Flickr!

 

28 November 2019 – Putrajaya, Malaysia

The Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), Malaysia, and the Secretariat for the EANET organized the National Awareness Workshop from 26 to 28 November 2019 in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The workshop was organized to facilitate sharing and learning platforms and to increase understanding of issues related to the prevention of acid deposition and air pollution that contribute to the achievement of EANET objectives.

More than 100 national participants among which government officials, academicians, non-government organizations members and private sector representatives attended the workshop.

Through this workshop, the participants were able to disseminate knowledge and information towards their peers or other potential groups.

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The Opening Ceremony

In her Opening Remarks during the Opening Ceremony, Ms. Noorsham Binti Abdul Latip, Senior Undersecretary, MESTECC, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in tackling acid deposition problems.

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The Workshop

The sessions of the workshop were designed to inform participants about EANET, its activities, and its benefits for participating countries. At the same time, the sessions also provided information on the impact of air quality on human health, issues related to air quality efforts, such as e-mobility and early warning systems of air pollution.

Discover all pictures from the event on flickr and download the EANET National Workshop in Malaysia 2019 Event Report to find out more about the event.

EANET organized the 21^st Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG21) on EANET in Beijing, China, during 12-13 November 2019, attended by representatives of thirteen participating countries.

The IG21 endorsed progress activities of EANET in 2019, approved work program and budget in 2020, as well as provided guidance and consideration on the future direction of EANET in tackling acid deposition and air pollution issues in the region. Report of the Session is available here.

Vice Minister Zhao Yingming, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, People’s Republic of China, delivered the opening remarks. He welcomed all representatives of the participating countries. He mentioned that China has been focusing on the solution of air pollution, including acid deposition, as a priority area for improving people’s livelihood.

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) held its Nineteenth Session (SAC19) from 8-10 October 2019 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Session was organized by the Secretariat and the Network Center (NC) for the EANET and hosted by the General Directorate of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia. The Meeting was attended by the members of the SAC and/or their alternates and other nominated persons from the participating countries of the EANET.

The SAC19 discussed the progress of EANET since the SAC18, adopted EANET Data Report 2018, Report of the TaskForces and Inter-Laboratory Comparison Projects 2018, acknowledged the updated National Monitoring Plans of the participating countries, the Proposed Ideas of Participating Countries for the Next MTP (2021-2025) for the EANET, and many more.

 

The EANET together with partner organizations and initiatives successfully organized the Awareness Forum on Prevention of Air Pollution in Asia Pacific from 25 to 27 June 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.

More than 130 participants from 16 countries, including representatives of government officials, civil society organizations, academicians, international organizations and private sectors, participated in this sharing and learning event.

The two-day Forum highlighted that air pollution is currently one of the top priority concerns at the regional and global level which proved that no single country could solve this problem alone. It requires collaboration from all stakeholders to take actions in making significant impacts.

The event was organized as a two-day Forum and one day Site Visit to Automotive Emission Laboratory of Pollution Control Department, Thailand and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. It provided an opportunity for countries to share experience and at the same time, to gain specific content information that can strengthen their capacity.

Various aspects of the prevention of air pollution were discussed in the Forum. It included the current status of air pollution, forecasting air pollution based on air quality monitoring program, designing air pollution program that gives significant impacts and designing awareness raising of air pollution programs, as well as potential efforts in strengthening partnership amongst stakeholders. All of the information is available in each session presentation under the Program Agenda below.

More photos of the event can be seen and downloaded here

PROGRAM AGENDA

The Forum was held at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC), Bangkok from 25-27 June 2019, consisted of two-days indoor Forum and one-day site visit. The first day of the Regional Forum was organized in parallel with the Thailand Air Pollution Session attended by Thailand provincial officers. A site visit was organized for EANET participants on day 3.

DAY 1, 25 JUNE 2019 – REGIONAL FORUM – LEARNING
Venue: Conference Room 4, UNCC
09:00-09:30	Opening of the Session: Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand Dr. Dechen Tsering, Regional Director and Representative, UN Environment Asia and the Pacific Office
09:30-09:40	World Environment Day Mask Challenge
09:40-10:00	COFFEE BREAK AND GROUP PHOTO
Venue: Meeting Room H, UNCC
10:00-10:10	Introduction of Objectives and Agenda Secretariat for the EANET
10:10-10:15	Tour de Table Mr. Jost Wagner, Facilitator
10:15-11:15	Session R1 – Air Pollution in Asia Pacific: Trends, Measures and Solutions Ms. Kakuko Nagatani-Yoshida, UN Environment Download the presentation here
11:15-12:00	Session R2 – Interpretation and Forecast of Air Quality Monitoring Results Dr. Ken Yamashita, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research/ Network Center for the EANET Download the presentation here
12:00-13:30	LUNCH BREAK
13:30-15:00	Session R3 – Measuring Impacts of Air Quality Programs Mr. Tomi Haryadi, Secretariat for the EANET Download the presentation here Dr. Ye Wu, Tsinghua University, China Download the presentation here
15:00-15:15	COFFEE BREAK
15:15-17:00	Session R4 – Design and Approaches for Air Quality Outreach and Advocacy Ms. Maria Katharina Patdu, Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership Download the presentation here
Venue: ESCAP Hall, Ground floor, UNCC
18:00-19:30	Welcome Dinner

 

DAY 1, 25 JUNE 2019 – Thailand Air Pollution Session
Venue: Conference Room 4, UNCC
10:00-10:10	Opening Remarks: Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand Mr. Thalearngsak Petchsuwan, Deputy Director General, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources an Environment, Thailand
10:10-10:15	Introduction of the Program Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana, Facilitator
10:15-11:00	Session T1 – Understanding Thailand’s Air Pollution Sources and Measures Mr. Thalearngsak Petchsuwan, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand Download the presentation here
11:00-12:00	Session T2 – Design and Approaches for Air Quality Outreach and Advocacy in Thailand Mr. Phunsak Theramongkol, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand Download the presentation here
12:00-13:30	LUNCH BREAK
13:30-14:30	Session T3 – Interpretation and Forecast of Air Quality Monitoring Results Dr. Ken Yamashita, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research/ Network Center for the EANET Download the presentation here
14:30-14:45	COFFEE BREAK
14:45-15:30	Session T4 – Sharing Experience in Tackling Air Pollution at Regional Level Mr. Sang-Cheol Kim, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea Download the presentation here Mr. Xu Xiangchao, Beijing Municipal Bureau Ecology and Environment, China Download the presentation here Mr. Dasrul Chaniago, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia Download the presentation here
15:30-17:30	Session T5 – Sharing Experience in tackling air Pollution at Provincial Level Mr. Amnat Jermlae, Director of Provincial Office for Natural Resources and Environment Chiang Rai, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand Mr. Virunpob Supab, Director of Regional Environment Office 10, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand
17:30-17:45	Ways Forward and Closing
Venue: ESCAP Hall, Ground floor, UNCC
18:00-19:30	Welcome Dinner

 

DAY 2, 26 JUNE 2019 – REGIONAL FORUM – EXPERIENCE SHARING
Venue: Meeting Room H, UNCC
09:00-09:20	Session R5 – Recap of the discussion on day-1 Mr. Tomi Haryadi, Secretariat for the EANET Download the presentation here
09:20-09:40	Session R6 – Results and insights from Thailand Air Pollution Session Ms. Siwaporn Rungsiyanon, Director of Transboundary Air Pollution Sub-division, Air Quality and Noise Management Division, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand Download the presentation here
09:40-10:00	Session R7 – Round-up discussion – experience sharing Facilitator: Mr. Tomi Haryadi, Mr. Jost Wagner
10:00-10:30	COFFEE BREAK
10:30-12:00	Session R8 – Sharing Experience in Tackling Air Pollution at Regional Level Mr. Sang-Cheol Kim, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea Download the presentation here Mr. Xu Xiangchao, Beijing Municipal Bureau Ecology and Environment, China Download the presentation here Mr. Dasrul Chaniago, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia Download the presentation here
12:00-13:30	LUNCH BREAK
13:30-14:30	Session R9 – Collaborative Actions for Clean Air in Asia Pacific Bhushan Tuladhar, UN-Habitat Mr. Takahiro Otsuka, Japan International Cooperation Agency Ms. Kathleen Dematera, Clean Air Asia Dr. Isabelle Louis, UN Environment
14:30-14:45	COFFEE BREAK
14:45-16:45	Session R10 – Accelerating Electric Mobility in Asia Pacific Mr. Bert Fabian, UN Environment Download the presentation here Dr. Ye Wu, Tsinghua University, China Download the presentation here Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar, UN-Habitat Download the presentation here Mr. Dino Ahmad Ryandi, Bakrie Autoparts Group, Indonesia Download the presentation here
16:45-17:00	Ways Forward and Closing

 

DAY 3, 27 JUNE 2019 – SITE VISIT FOR EANET PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
Site visit to Automotive Emissions Laboratory of the Pollution Control Department, Thailand and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Download background information here
Venue: Automotive Emission Laboratory of Pollution Control Department in Pathumthani, Thailand
08:00-09:00	Trip to Automotive Emission Laboratory of Pollution Control Department, Thailand Address: 138/28 Moo 2 Rangsit Nakhon Nayok Road, Tambon Rangsit, Amphur Thanyaburi, Pathumthani Province, 12110 Thailand Participants will depart from the UN Conference Center at 8 am.
09:00-09:15	Introduction of Objective, EANET, and Participants Mr. Tomi Haryadi, Secretariat for the EANET
09:15-10:00	Presentation on the activity of Automotive Emission Laboratory of Pollution Control Department, Thailand Dr. Natchanok Pala-en, Pollution Control Department, Thailand Download the presentation here
10:00-11:00	Visit the Facilities of Automotive Emission Laboratory Dr. Natchanok Pala-en, Pollution Control Department, Thailand
11.00-11.30	Conclusion and Closing
11:30-13:30	LUNCH BREAK
Venue: Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, Bangkok, Thailand
13:30-14:00	Trip to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Address: The Bangkok City Hall 2 189 Mitmaitree Road, Din Daeng District, Bangkok, Thailand Download background information here
14:00-14:15	Introduction of Objective, EANET, and Participants Mr. Tomi Haryadi, Secretariat for the EANET
14:15-14:45	Presentation on Policies and Actions of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in Tackling Air Pollution Issues Ms. Nuanphan Phawawes, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Download background information here
15:15-15:30	Conclusion and Closing
15:30-16:00	Back to UNCC