Category: News

The 13th International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia – Join us on December 22nd-23rd!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine
1. Background

The EANET has developed a close relationship with the community of Model Inter-Comparison Studies for Asia (MICS-Asia) which is a project aiming at improving air quality and climate models not only by enhancing scientific understanding of the atmospheric environment but also by developing a common scientific understanding for policy-making in Asia. The International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia is a regular workshop of MICS-Asia which has received support from the EANET throughout the previous Medium Term Plans. Summaries of previous MICS-Asia workshops are available in the Reports of the Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) on the EANET.

Air quality models are effective scientific tools to understand the status of the atmospheric environment and evaluate the effects of mitigation measures. However, extensive experience is necessary to utilize air quality models effectively, and participating in workshops led by experienced researchers is a practical way to develop skills and expertise on this matter.

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2. Objectives and Participants

The International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia provides capacity-building opportunities for air quality modeling to the EANET. Its goal is to allow participants to become familiar with a methodology to analyze the status of atmospheric environment-related substances, including processes of atmospheric chemistry and physics, using air quality models. In addition, participants will learn from examples of the application of air quality modeling systems to evaluate recent atmospheric environmental problems as well as from the latest information on air quality modeling systems including settings and model configuration.

This workshop targets participants from the EANET Participating Countries who are experts in air quality modeling and are willing to improve their knowledge of air quality models’ implementation and want to learn about the latest information on recent air quality modeling systems. The workshop is also suitable for technical officers, practitioners, and policymakers from the Region who are involved in air quality management issues and interested in utilizing air quality modeling systems.

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3. Agenda and Program

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4. Registration

If you would like to participate in the 13th International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia, please fill in and send the registration form to the Workshop’s Secretariat (modelws2022@acap.asia).

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

EANET Workshop on the Relationship between the Atmospheric Environment, Human Health and Ecosystems – Join us on October 31st!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

 

The registration is now closed.

1. Background

As mentioned in the Medium Term Plan for the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) (2021-2025), the Participating Countries established the EANET in 2000 to recognize increasing concerns about acid deposition due to rapid economic development in East Asia that had jeopardized environmental sustainability. The establishment of EANET has benefited from the viewpoint of environmental sustainability and the experience of Europe and other regions that have earlier carried out relevant activities for monitoring acid deposition and related substances, including quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), data accumulation, and evaluation. Over the span of 20 years, the accumulation of scientific knowledge and regional economic development, the environmental pollution situation worldwide, and the urgent and important fields of action have changed significantly, and, in November 2021, the Twenty-third Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (IG23) for the EANET made important decisions on the expansion of the scope of the EANET, from acid deposition, to also include a wider scope of atmospheric environment-related substances.

As the deterioration of the atmospheric environment by pollutants emitted from anthropogenic activities may cause adverse effects on humans and ecosystems, the Workshop on the Relationship between the Atmospheric Environment and Human Health and Ecosystems will allow discussions and experience-sharing with various stakeholders, such as policymakers, scientists, and the general public.

To further discuss and understand scientific knowledge and relevant policy measures, the Workshop on the Relationship between the Atmospheric Environment and Human Health and Ecosystems will gather renowned East Asian and European researchers and experts from academia (Hokkaido University, Japan, and Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, China), international organizations (CLRTAP-UNECE, WHO, IIASA), and from the Network Center for the EANET, to share scientific findings on the effects of atmospheric deposition on human health and ecosystems, as well as best science-based practices for policy-makers to reduce the impacts of atmospheric pollutants.

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2. Objectives and Participants

The Workshop on the Relationship between the Atmospheric Environment and Human Health and Ecosystems will aim at:

  • sharing scientific knowledge on the relationships between the atmospheric environment and human health and between the atmospheric environment and ecosystems
  • showcasing science-based policy experiences on the reduction of atmospheric pollutants in other regions, such as Europe
  • contributing to sharing a common understanding of future directions for environmental measures to be developed by policymakers and scientists at the national and international levels

Although this event is open to the public, the expected participants will be mainly government officials from the EANET Participating Countries, scientists, such as the Scientific Advisory Committee members, Task Force members, other relevant scientists from the EANET and beyond, etc.

 

3. Agenda and Program

Useful Resources

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

Workshop on National Air Quality Monitoring Systems and Methodologies with Related Partners – Join us on July 6th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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The registration is now closed.

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1. Background

The EANET as an intergovernmental network in East Asia has achieved excellent progress in monitoring cooperation and had great progress in dealing with common concerned problems in the region. The EANET has been monitoring more than 18 atmospheric substances including ions at 64 monitoring sites in the EANET Participating Countries. EANET implements five monitoring items – wet deposition, dry deposition (air concentration), soil and vegetation, inland aquatic environment, and catchment-scale monitoring.

Depending on differentiated economic stages, industrial structures and meteorological conditions, Participating Countries face diversified environmental challenges and priorities, and even in the same region, the challenges differ from time to time. Therefore, in dealing with acid deposition and air pollution issues, it becomes critical to understand the latest atmospheric environment status in the EANET region firstly, and constantly keep up with the latest trend of air pollution measurements and state-of-the-art research methodology/technology, and fully utilize all aspects of resources to seek the solutions in improving air quality in EANET.

Through more than 20 years of activities, the EANET has established a comprehensive and integrated monitoring network, and EANET monitoring data has been used to evaluate and analyze the atmospheric environment in East Asia. The EANET has focused on the national level to promote cooperation among thirteen Participating Countries to address air pollution, including acid deposition issues, and has achieved significant progress in improving air quality in the East Asia region. However, considering the lifetime of air pollution substances, city-level air quality management is also important besides the national level. Furthermore, in terms of implementing management regulations and standards, along with initiatives from central governments, the local/city governments are also crucial in steadily carrying out various measurements.

To accelerate its further development, the Twenty-third Intergovernmental Meeting of the EANET reached an agreement to expand its scope and enable the EANET to conduct monitoring of more atmospheric environment-related substances. In response to this historical decision of scope expansion and steadily undertaking the necessary actions to adopt the changes of EANET, sharing the latest monitoring system and methodologies, discussing the most pressing challenges, and thinking together about possible solutions among the EANET Participating Countries with related partners are critical.

This workshop will gather different stakeholders (scientists and researchers, government officers, technicians including QA/QC managers, the representative of an international organization) together and invite them to discuss from different perspectives on how to overcome the challenges so as to improve the monitoring system in EANET.

This workshop will be divided into two sessions. The first session will briefly introduce the EANET monitoring activities and its function, followed by the case studies of Japan, R. of Korea, and China. In addition, the specific monitoring methodologies including QA/QC activities will be also introduced. In the second session, the panel discussion will take place involving different stakeholders to seek solutions for improving the EANET monitoring system.

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2. Objectives and Participants

This workshop aims to provide an opportunity of sharing a wide range of national and international experiences in the field of atmospheric monitoring, discussing the current development and future challenge of monitoring systems and related methodologies in EANET.

Although this event is open to the public, the expected participants will be mainly Representative of Participating Countries of the EANET including:

  • Central and local government officials from monitoring and air quality management related departments or divisions
  • Scientists, researchers, and technicians (including QA/QC managers and technicians) in the related area
  • Participants from related stakeholders, including representatives from UNEP and other regional and international organizations
  • The Network Center for the EANET, the Secretariat for the EANET

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3. Agenda

There will be two sessions based on the objectives of the workshop.

The first session aims to:

  • Provide an overview of the development of science and policy related to acid deposition in East Asia over 30 years.
  • Introduce the monitoring systems of Japan, R. of Korea, and China.
  • Discuss national monitoring system with QA/QC capacity for a wide range of monitoring stations, including mobile monitoring units, and introduce past experiences in order to expand possible opportunities in Participating Countries.

The second session aims to:

  • Provide discussion platform to various stakeholders to discuss the challenges the Participating Countries are facing, and seek possible or efficient solutions in improving monitoring system.
  • Provide useful and practical advice from scientific views in strengthening monitoring system from the SAC members of EANET.
  • Provide lesson learned and important insights for air quality monitoring management experiences towards resolving the related difficulties in the Participating Countries of the EANET.
  • Share Clean Air Asia (CAA)’s knowledge gained through the cooperation between cities that has been implemented over the years in strengthening and improving City’s air quality monitoring system.
  • Discuss opportunities of respective concerns or difficulties in further developing air quality monitoring systems in Participating Countries of the EANET involving different stakeholders.

In the second session following two guiding discussion points (tentative) will be provided.

  1. Air pollution issue are deferred from country to country, and deferred from time to time. Taking the latest trend of your country into account, what do you think are the most significant challenge such as targeted substances and spatial coverage for the EANET in improving atmospheric environment in 5-10 years ahead?
  2. International cooperation is critical from national to city-level in dealing with the regional air pollution issue. But, what is the pros and cons of the linkage between national-level and city-level cooperation, and what are the key points to optimize the co-benefit for the regional/city-level air quality in terms of monitoring system, its solutions and prioritized actions?

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Access the full Programme here.

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Download the Workshop’s presentations:

–Development and role of monitoring system in EANET and the case study of Japan

–Latest National and Local/City Monitoring System in the Republic of Korea

–Study on the Co-control of PM2.5 and Ozone Pollution in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and Surrounding Region of China

–Monitoring methodologies and QA/QC activities in the EANET

-Introduction to EANET Project Fund and Project Activities 2022-2023

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

EANET Seminar: Learnings on Reducing Emissions from Open Burning – Join us on September 6th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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Registration is now closed.

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1. Background

One of the key sources of particulate pollution in Southeast Asia is the open burning of biomass. The solution to this problem in air pollution modeling research is broadly labeled as bans on burning; however, this solution is difficult to enforce and may cause further disadvantages for the poorest farmers.

There is sufficient evidence that alternatives to bans, including using crop residues for mulch and fertilizer or growing high-yield crops such as mushrooms, may offer a more sustainable solution.

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2. Objectives and Participants

Through this seminar, policymakers and practitioners will share their experience in dealing with sustainable solutions and present how national governments may enable the spread and replication of alternatives to open burning. Various viewpoints on the issue will be presented  and considered. One of the objectives of this seminar is to approach the issue of open burning from various perspectives of national governments, and other stakeholders, which may lead to incentives beyond the event.

In addition, the EANET seeks ways to assess the open burning problem in the context of the ASEAN’s activities.

Although this event is open to the public, the expected participants will be mainly policymakers, practitioners, and technical officers of local/national governments working on air pollution-related issues, from the EANET Participating Countries of EANET and beyond.

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3. Agenda

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Download the concept note here.

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This seminar is a side-event of the Fourth Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) Joint Forum, find out more and register for the Fourth Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) Joint Forum here.

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For further inquiries on the Seminar, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

EANET Seminar on Expanding Monitoring Systems using Low-Cost Sensor (LCS) – Join us on July 21st!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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The registration is now closed.

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1. Background

Low-cost Sensor (LCS) technology to measure air quality has expanded remarkably in recent years, and it is now widely used by the private sector. It provides information on the atmospheric environment to citizens through data communication networks.

Noticing the cost-effectiveness of LCS, international organizations have started to promote the use of LCS in selected areas to strengthen the capacity of governments where official air monitoring networks are insufficient. However, various surveys conducted by US-EPA, the EU, and others, as well as some experiences in the Asian region reveal that some types of LCSs in the market have problems with accuracy and reliability, while some types are reliable. It is observed that some less reliable LCS and improper use of LCS, including wrong interpretation of measured data, sometimes cause problems including unnecessary social confusion.

Air quality monitoring authorities, such as US-EPA, recommend that LCS is to be used for providing supplementary information for non-regulatory purposes. They recently developed testing protocols to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of LCS.

In most areas in the Asian region, air quality monitoring capacities of the national and local governments are still limited and need to be developed to improve their air quality to achieve SDGs. Considering emerging sub-regional-scale and serious seasonal air pollution events, such as PM2.5, building a network of reliable and internationally comparable air quality data becomes more important.

Thus, it is necessary for practitioners to consider how they can wisely select and use reliable LCS with the network of reference-level sensors in an integrated manner for enhanced air quality monitoring.

The EANET has been developing an air quality monitoring network in the East Asia region with governments and scientists from its 13 Participating Countries and assisting them to develop domestic capacity. The EANET is expanding its scope and seeking collaboration with potential partners. The EANET is conducting this activity considering the best use of reliable LCS for capacity building among its Participating Countries.

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2. Objectives and Participants

The EANET will proceed with technical studies and capacity building on methods for collecting reliable air quality data with a concept of Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN) where highly reliable LCS and existing reference-level monitoring equipment are used in an integrated manner.

This concept and relevant work provide opportunities for EANET: (1) to strengthen its monitoring network, especially in expanding spatial coverage of the motoring of PM2.5 and ozone with high time resolution; and (2) to assist the Participating Countries of the EANET in developing their air quality monitoring network.

With such overarching goals, the objectives of this Seminar are to provide venues for stakeholders in the EANET Participating Countries and other areas to learn the above-mentioned background, issues, and opportunities of LCS in detail from the experiences of the air pollution monitoring experts.

Although this event is open to the public, the expected participants will be mainly representatives, experts, and practitioners of air quality monitoring from the EANET Participating Countries, non-Participating Countries, academia, and monitoring related service providers.

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3. Agenda

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Download the Concept Note and Programme here.

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Download the Workshop’s presentations:

–Issues of LCS and Efforts Against the Issues: Thailand’s Experiences (presented by Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana)

–US-EPA’s efforts on wise use of LCS (presented by Dr. Alison Simcox)

–Results of the survey on HAQMN and technical studies in some EANET Participating Countries (presented by Dr. Keiichi Sato)

–Experience in using Low-Cost Sensors under ADB TA 9608 (presented by Ms. Karma Yangzom)

–Air quality data challenges and opportunities in developing Asia (presented by Ms. Maria Katherina Patdu)

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

Next-Generation Air Quality Monitoring: Technologies, Communities, and Governance for Clean Air – Join us on November 26th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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Background

The Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) was established in 2001 as a regional intergovernmental network to promote cooperation among countries in East Asia to address acid deposition problems. In 2021, at the Twenty-Second Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG22), the 13 Participating Countries of the EANET agreed to expand its scope to address wider air pollution problems and launched the EANET Project Fund to encourage cooperation with partners outside of its network.

In the last 20 years, the EANET has made excellent progress in acid deposition monitoring cooperation, including on particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. The Network has fostered a regional monitoring network and scientific exchange platforms which have contributed to solving acid deposition and air pollution problems in East Asia.

In November 2024, the Twenty-sixth Intergovernmental Meeting (IG26) on the EANET approved the Work Programme and Budget of the EANET Core Activities in 2025, including Activity 10: Promotion of public awareness on acid deposition, including other priority chemical species, etc.

In this respect, and in line with the efforts to facilitate the sharing of a common understanding on air quality issues, the EANET Regional Awareness Workshop in 2025: “Next-Generation Air Quality Monitoring: Technologies, Communities, and Governance for Clean Air”  will be organized on Wednesday 26 November in Bangkok , Thailand, and in a hybrid format as part of UNEP’s Clean Air Week 2025, from 24-28 November 2028, at the Sukosol Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Short Description

Air pollution remains the single largest environmental health risk worldwide, with Asia experiencing the most severe impacts. Effective air quality management requires robust, reliable, and inclusive monitoring systems that integrate scientific innovation, community participation, and policy action. While governments and research institutions have traditionally relied on reference-grade monitoring, new technologies—including low-cost sensors, satellite monitoring, artificial intelligence (AI), and open-source toolkits—are reshaping the landscape of air quality management.

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Objective and Participants

This session explores how innovative approaches are enabling more accessible, hyperlocal, and transparent data generation and governance. It brings together leading experts, civil society, academia to share lessons from on-the-ground experiences, advanced modelling approaches, community-led initiatives, and legal innovations such as the Pollution Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) bill in Thailand.

The discussion will focus on:

  • Pathways to integrate innovative monitoring into governance frameworks for cleaner air
  • How new technologies and open-source tools can strengthen monitoring and data transparency.
  • The role of numerical models, AI, and satellite data in supporting decision-making at the local, national and regional scale.
  • How community engagement and right-to-know legislation can empower citizens.

Expected in-person and online participants will include the EANET National Focal Points, Scientific Advisory Committee members, and other EANET members and partners, including policymakers, national researchers, and scientists. It will also welcome representatives of partner organizations working on related issues, as well as participants joining the Clean Air Week.

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Tentative Agenda

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Contact

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Joint workshop on Air Pollution Policy Based on PM2.5 Source Information – Join us on June 12th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

1. Background

PM2.5 pollution remains a critical environmental and public health challenge in East Asia due to its complex origins, including biomass burning, urban transportation emissions, and secondary aerosol formation. The high PM2.5 concentrations have significant health impacts and contribute to transboundary air pollution, making regional cooperation essential.

While many East Asian countries have made progress in establishing PM2.5 mass concentration monitoring networks, capacities related to PM2.5 chemical component analysis, PM2.5 source apportionment, and the effective use of PM2.5 source information for policy development remain limited. Moreover. Insufficient technical expertise, human resources, and consistent data availability continue to hinder evidence-based air quality management.

The EANET Project in 2026 (EANET 2026-06) aims to promote the standardization of PM2.5 chemical composition measurements and source apportionment methodologies using receptor models, as well as to strengthen capacities of PM2.5 chemical analysis and source apportionment in East Asia. This joint workshop is positioned as an initial step within the project framework, serving as a platform for identifying regional needs, sharing existing knowledge, and exploring pathways to connect scientific findings with air pollution policy.

This workshop will provide opportunities to share experiences and lessons learned from the ongoing SATREPS project (Air-SATREPS), as well as other PM2.5 source apportionment studies conducted in the East Asian region. Through the knowledge and experience exchange, the workshop seeks to enhance synergy and mutual complementarity between Air-SATREPS activities and EANET initiatives.

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2. Objectives

✓ To review the current status, challenges, and needs related to PM2.5 chemical composition measurement and PM2.5 source apportionment in East Asian countries;

✓ To discuss PM2.5 analysis approaches that are feasible under limited financial and human resources, including the use of low-cost sensors (LCS) and simplified analytical techniques;

✓ To share perspectives on capacity building, methodological standardization, and pathways for policy application of PM2.5 source apportionment, based on experiences from SATREPS and other related research projects.

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3. Concept Note, Agenda, and Speakers

Download the concept note and program here.

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET

 

Sustainable Nitrogen Management Seminar 2025 – Join us on 22 December!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

1. Background

Reactive nitrogen (Nr), including ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), has been produced by anthropogenic activities. Release of Nr to the environment is thought to pose substantial threats to human and ecosystem health. Therefore, to achieve sustainable nitrogen utilization, it is necessary to reduce Nr loss to the environment (Hayashi et al. 2021, Environmental Pollution).

To tackle the above issue, the resolution “Sustainable Nitrogen Management (UNEA 5.2),” which was adopted at the Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, encouraged countries to develop national action plans for sustainable nitrogen management and to accelerate actions to significantly reduce nitrogen waste globally by 2030 and beyond.

NOx from fuel/waste combustion are precursors of photochemical oxidants and PM2.5, with adverse effects on human health and terrestrial ecosystems. NH3 emitted into the atmosphere from agricultural activities also contributes to the formation of PM (e.g., NH4NO3, (NH4)2SO4). Excessive nitrogen input from the atmosphere has adverse effects on terrestrial ecosystems and inland waters, including acidification and eutrophication (Yamashita et al. 2022, Science of the Total Environment). Thus, the Nr problem is also an atmospheric environmental problem.

EANET has been monitoring atmospheric deposition of these Nr species, because they are also important as acid deposition. EANET has the potential to contribute to the understanding of nitrogen flows from the atmosphere to ecosystems and to the discussion on sustainable nitrogen management.

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2. Objectives

This seminar aims to foster a shared understanding of sustainable nitrogen management within the EANET community and to facilitate discussions on how EANET data can contribute to addressing global nitrogen challenges, as well as identifying which aspects of EANET’s monitoring activities should be prioritized to support this goal.

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3. Concept Note, Agenda, and Speakers

Download the concept note and program here.

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET

 

EANET Seminar – Utilizing Satellite Monitoring including access to Dust and Sand Storm: Join us on December 12th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

1. Background

Satellite observation of air pollutants, including acidifying substances, has become an increasingly important tool for air quality monitoring. Compared with ground-based systems that are often spatially limited, satellite instruments provide near-real-time, consistent coverage over large areas and help identify the sources, transport, and meteorological influences on air pollution. Such data also contributes to understanding the links between air quality, climate change, and policy needs.

In East Asia, the Republic of Korea has played a leading role through the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS), launched in 2019, which measures NO2, O, SO₂, and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) hourly across the region. The Pan-Asia Partnership for Geospatial Air Quality information (PAPGAPi) Project, initiated in 2020 by the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) under the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), involves 13 Asian countries to share GEMS data and strengthen regional capacity. Japan is also advancing satellite observation with the Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle (GOSAT-GW), the third in the GOSAT series following GOSAT (2009) and GOSAT-2 (2018), was launched in June 2025.

GOSAT-GW carries two instruments—Total Anthropogenic and Natural emissions mapping SpectrOmeter-3 (TANSO-3) and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-3 (AMSR3). The TANSO-3 sensor was developed and operated by the Ministry of the Environment; Japan (MOEJ), the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Given the challenges of monitoring wide-area phenomena such as Dust and Sand Storms (DSS) in Northeast Asia and haze in Southeast Asia, satellite technology offers a highly effective approach. For EANET Participating Countries, enhanced understanding of space-based observations will help integrate these technologies with ground-level and low-cost sensor monitoring, strengthening collaborative efforts to assess and manage air quality in the region.

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2. Objectives
  • To discuss and make recommendations, if possible, on the possibility of future collaboration with organizations related to satellite monitoring
  • To discuss the applications of satellite monitoring for such problems as DSS.
  • To obtain scientific knowledge on the relationships between satellite monitoring and ground-level monitoring.

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3. Expected participants
  • Government officials, such as representatives for the Intergovernmental Meetings and Working Groups in the EANET, other relevant officials, etc.
  • EANET-related scientists, such as the Scientific Advisory Committee members, Task Force members, other relevant scientists, etc.
  • Resource persons, including invited speakers from other regional networks and international organizations

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4. Concept Note, Agenda, and Speakers

Download the concept note and program here.

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5. Speakers (in order of appearance)

 

Prof. Meng Fan

Meng Fan, Ph.D, Deputy Director General in charge of the Network Center for EANET, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP). Previously, he held the position in Chinese Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) including deputy chief engineer and director of the Institute of Atmospheric Environment. He has been conducting research in the field of air quality modeling, atmospheric chemistry, air pollution control policy and synergistic control of air pollution and climate change. He has been leading the project of PM2.5 source apportionment for 2+26 cities of Beijng-Tianjin-Hebei and surrounding region, Regulatory Air Quality Modeling System Development and LTP project Chinese group and other international cooperation research projects. He has been published as author and co-author of over 80 papers in scientific journals. He has been adjunct professor and doctoral supervisor of Beijing Normal University and Tongji University of China.

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Ms. Yujeong Kim

Ms. Yujeong Kim is a Senior Programme Management Officer for the United Nations Environment Programme’s Asia Pacific Office based in Bangkok. She is also the Ad Interim Coordinator for the Secretariat for the EANET. Her current work focuses on enhancing environmental science-policy interface in the region. Before joining UNEP, she worked for the Office for Sustainable Development of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, where she led capacity building and policy advisory activities aimed at accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for Member States. Her dedication to sustainable development extends to her previous roles in the Korean Government, where she led policy design and implementation on crucial environmental issues, including air quality, chemicals, water, climate change, and green growth. Ms. Kim holds a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in Earth System Sciences from Seoul National University.

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Dr. Hiroshi Tanimoto

Hiroshi Tanimoto is Director of the Earth System Division and Research Director of the Climate Change and Air Quality Research Program at the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Japan. He also serves as Head of the Global Atmospheric Chemistry Section and Science and Application Lead for the NIES GOSAT-GW Project. Dr. Tanimoto’s research focuses on atmospheric chemistry, global air pollution, volatile organics, and satellite-based Earth observations related to air quality and climate change. He has held leadership roles in numerous international initiatives, including Vice-President of iCACGP, Co-Chair of WMO GAW Expert Teams, and contributing roles to IGAC, CEOS AC-VC, and the Arctic Council EGBCM. Dr. Tanimoto has received multiple honors for his work, including the NIES Award (2018), the Nishida Prize (2017), and the Hitachi Environment Foundation Environment Prize (2008). He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Tokyo in 2001.

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Dr. Wang Tao

Dr. Tao Wang received his Degree of Doctor of Sciences on Physical Geography from the Institute of Desert Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1988. Dr. Tao Wang is a widely recognized on desert environment and aeolian desertification researcher and made significant contributions for researching and combating desertification in China. His main achievements include to monitor and assess quantificationally the areas, distribution and damage of aeolian desertified land in different decade for last 60 years in Northern China，to analyses the climatic change and the human factor’s impact on the processes of aeolian desertification, to study comprehensively the different fields of aeolian desertification such as the key basic scientific issues, physical and biological process, monitoring and assessing, combating stratagem and approach. He had published more than 300 papers and 10 books in English and Chinese. Dr. Tao WANG was the former Director General of Northwest Institute of Eco-environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), President of Lanzhou Branch, CAS and Director of Key Lab. of Desert and Desertification, CAS, Member of the Science-Policy- Interface of UNCCD. At present, he still served some international and non-governmental organizations such as the President of International Desert Research Association (IDRA), Director General of International Center for Research and Training on Desertification Control of UNEP-CAS, President of Desert Society of China and Director of International Joint Research Center on Deserts and Desertification (IJRCDD, CHINA).

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Dr. Hye Jung Shin

Dr. Hye Jung Shin is the Director of the Environmental Satellite Center at the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) in the Republic of Korea. She has over two decades of experience in environmental and atmospheric research, with expertise spanning air quality monitoring, satellite-based environmental analysis, and meteorological applications. Dr. Shin began her career in the Applied Meteorological Research Division of the National Institute of Meteorological Research (2000–2003) and subsequently worked at the Daegu Regional Environmental Office and various research divisions within NIER. From 2007 to 2025, she served in the Air Quality Research Division before assuming her current role at the Environmental Satellite Center. She holds a Ph.D. (2012), M.A. (2001), and B.A. (1999) from Ewha Womans University in the Republic of Korea.

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET

 

EANET Seminar for Sharing information on early warning for local and regional air pollution for the Mekong sub-region – Join us on October 23rd!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

  1. Background

The Mekong region faces a persistent challenge of seasonal air pollution, with higher numbers of haze alerts at levels 2 and 3 compared to the southern part of the ASEAN. Levels 2 and 3 mean an escalation from an increased risk of regional haze in the region to a high risk of severe regional haze. Therefore, this project will focus on the Mekong region while contributing to the overall goal of achieving a haze-free ASEAN.

There are eight EANET Participating Countries that are also members of the ASEAN and who have ratified the ASEAN Agreement of Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) in 2015. The ASEAN is currently introducing the second roadmap (2023-2030). This second roadmap includes new features to enhance sub-regional activities, focusing on both the southern and northern (Mekong) regions.

This project forms a part of the joint efforts of ASEAN and Japan as described in paragraph 2.6.5 of ‘Implementation Plan of the Joint Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Trusted Partners on 17 December 2023, Tokyo, Japan, which states “Support technical and policy exchanges on air pollution control, such as haze pollution, promote cooperation through the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET), and explore ways to support the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control and implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution”.

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  1. Objectives
  • To learn and share the scientific approach to assess the Haze problem in ASEAN region including the Early Warning System for air pollutants which was developed and implemented in other countries, and source apportionment methodology which can identify the emission source of PM/Haze.
  • To discuss, and make recommendations, if possible, the possibility of near-future cooperation especially on the Second Roadmap for ASEAN Cooperation on Transboundary Haze Pollution Control with Means of Implementation (ASEAN Haze-Free Roadmap).
  • To strengthen the science-policy-action interface to support the implementation of the Second ASEAN Haze Free Roadmap

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  1. Expected participants
  • Government officials, such as representatives for the Intergovernmental Meetings and Working Groups in the EANET, other relevant officials, etc.
  • EANET related scientists, such as the Scientific Advisory Committee members, Task Force members, other relevant scientists, etc.
  • Resource persons, including invited speakers from other regional networks and international organizations

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  1. Concept Note, Agenda and Speakers

Download the concept note and program here.

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  1. Speakers (in order of appearance)

Dr. Yusuke Kiriyama

Dr. Yusuke Kiriyama is engaged in research on the analysis of atmospheric dynamics of air pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and is affiliated with the Data Management Department of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research. He played a central role in the work on air quality simulation within ACAP, participated in international collaborative research programs, and contributed internationally through JICA projects. He earned his PhD in Science from Tokyo University of Science, where his doctoral research involved simulating the causes of high concentrations of photochemical oxidants.

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Dr. Keiichi Sato

Dr. Keiichi Sato is involving research on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) source identification, and atmospheric deposition, currently serving as the Head of the Atmospheric Research Department at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP). With over a decade of experience in ACAP, he has played a role in long term monitoring of EANET and collaborative research programs with institutions in East Asian countries. He earned his PhD in Environmental Chemistry from Osaka Prefecture University, where his doctoral research explored the atmospheric behaviors of soluble substances in aqueous phase.

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Mr. Gaston Melo-Felgueres

Mr. Gaston Melo-Felgueres is an international development professional specializing in digital transformation, AI governance, and sustainable development. Currently serving as Associate Expert at UN ESCAP, he manages projects across Asia-Pacific focused on helping governments develop national AI frameworks, implement digital cooperation initiatives, and build sustainable technology capacity. Previously, he served as International Policy Specialist at Google, managing government relations and AI integration across multiple regions.

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Mr. Xavier Mari

Mr. Xavier MARI is a Senior Scientist at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD). He has served as the IRD Representative in Thailand since September 2022, with extended responsibilities for India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. For the past 20 years, he has been working in partnership across the Asia–Pacific region. He leads the International Research Network Impact of Black Carbon in Southeast Asia (SOOT-SEA), which brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of scientists from Southeast Asian and European countries. This network addresses the multiple health, climate, environmental, and socio-political challenges associated with fine particulate air pollution in the Asia–Pacific region. He joined IRD in 2002 and has held postings for six years in New Caledonia (2004–2009) and eight years in Vietnam (2009–2013 and 2018–2022). His current work focuses on the establishment of a regional observatory for pollutants emitted from combustion processes. The goal of this observatory is to build robust scientific evidence on the characteristics and impacts of these pollutants through a multisectoral approach, to promote emission-reduction actions, and to support policymakers in designing targeted regulations aimed at reducing emissions and mitigating air pollution impacts. Throughout his career, he has been convinced of the need for cross-cutting, multidisciplinary, and multi-actor approaches—moving beyond thematic silos that have proven ineffective in addressing the major global challenges of our time.

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Mr. Ekachai Lojanaphiwat

Mr. Ekachai Lojanaphiwat is a Project Advisor at GIZ Thailand, leading regional cooperation under the Southeast Asia Climate & Clean Air Initiative (SEACAI). His work focuses on improving air quality management and mitigating short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) across the Mekong sub-region through evidence-based policies, technology applications, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. With over a decade of experience in environmental management and sustainable development, he has contributed to several ASEAN initiatives on transboundary haze pollution, circular economy, and climate resilience. Mr. Lojanaphiwat holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, an MBA, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Engineering and Management at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).

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Mr. Khamhu Tounalom

Mr. Khamhou Tounalom is the Director of the Environmental and Haze Research Center under the Biotechnology and Ecology Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Lao PDR. With extensive experience in pollution emission inventory, haze management, and environmental policy implementation, Mr. Tounalom has led national and regional projects on air quality and sustainable environmental practices, contributing to Lao PDR’s efforts under the Stockholm Convention on POPs and regional haze cooperation initiatives.

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Mr. Sitthideth Nonthaxay

Mr. Sitthideth Nonthaxay is the Director of the Environmental Quality Analysis Center at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Lao PDR. An environmental engineer with over 12 years of experience, he specializes in water and air quality monitoring, laboratory management, and international environmental collaboration. Sitthideth has led national and regional projects under IAEA, EANET, MRC, and CASA, and is skilled in ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, isotopic analysis, and environmental data reporting. He serves as a key coordinator for ASEAN and UNEP initiatives, contributing to regional air quality and water management programs.

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET