September–October 2025, Republic of Korea and Japan

Four government officials and researchers from China, the Philippines, Russia, and Thailand completed an intensive, capacity-building program on acid deposition and air quality management. Co-organized by EANET and the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Republic of Korea,  the Technical and Training (TNT) and Capacity Building Program aimed to strengthen technical expertise among the EANET Participating Countries.

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Advanced Technical Training in Republic of Korea

The first part of the program took place in Republic of Korea from September 25 to October 2, 2025. At NIER in Incheon, participants were introduced to the institute’s mission and work on environmental protection and public health. Visits to key institutions included Seoul National University (SNU), the Jeju Island Air Quality Research Center, the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), the National Air Emission Inventory Research Center (NAIR), and the Environmental satellite Center(ESC).

“The part I found most engaging was learning how NIER and NAIR integrate satellite monitoring, emission inventories, and national policies to reduce PM concentrations. I found it interesting to see how advanced technology is practically applied to support evidence-based policymaking.”

— A comment from a trainee

At SNU, trainees received instruction in air filter sampling and analysis techniques. During their visit to the Jeju Center, they learned about the history and role of the center, the air quality monitoring network, data management, equipment, and emission inventory. At UNIST, the focus shifted to research on air quality monitoring and satellite-ground validation studies. At NAIR, trainees learned how air emissions data from various sources is compiled to support environmental policy and compliance. Finally, at ESC, they gained insight into how GEMS satellite data enhances real-time and regional air quality monitoring, as well as data integration techniques that combine emissions, satellite observations, and modeling.

“I was particularly interested in the advanced monitoring of both particulate and gaseous pollutants. Understanding how these measurements can be applied to identify pollution sources and track air quality trends made this part of the training very relevant and engaging.”

— A comment from a trainee

“I didn’t know about GEMS and Pandora before. The visit helped me to learn about GEMS and Pandora – satellite systems used for air quality observation. This helped me understand how satellite data can support ground monitoring.”

— A comment from a trainee

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Immersive Training in Japan

From October 6 to 10, 2025, the training continued in Japan.

At the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), participants engaged in various studies covering topics such as Atmospheric Deposition, Filter Pack and Wet Deposition Monitoring, and Ion Chromatography (IC). They attended lectures on atmospheric deposition, conducted EC and pH measurements for wet samples, and maintained equipment including rain samplers, PM2.5 analyzers, and ozone calibrator. Additionally, they performed IC measurements for both wet and dry samples and carried out data checks for reference and low-cost sensors.

“I found it most interesting to learn about EANET and ACAP’s role in coordinating air quality monitoring across participating countries. The training highlighted how the network enables countries to share data, standardize methods, and collaborate on addressing transboundary air pollution. It was interesting to see how regional cooperation strengthens scientific capacity and policy making in each member country.”

— A comment from a trainee

 “I was particularly interested in the session on Low-Cost Sensor (LCS) monitoring, as it was impressive to learn how LCS technology can complement conventional monitoring stations by expanding spatial coverage and providing more localized air quality data. Additionally, the short lecture on automatic monitor maintenance for PM2.5 was highly insightful—it emphasized the importance of proper calibration, routine checks, and maintenance to ensure data accuracy and instrument reliability, which are vital for continuous and dependable air quality monitoring across participating countries.”

— A comment from a trainee

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Sharing Knowledge Across the Region

 Feedback after the training indicated that all participants found the program in both the Republic of Korea and Japan to be extremely valuable. It is anticipated that the knowledge and experiences gained will be shared with colleagues through seminars, lectures, or study meetings in their home countries. This sharing is expected to contribute to the development of skills in air quality management throughout the EANET region.

“I plan to utilize the knowledge and skills I gained from the NIER and ACAP trainings by applying them directly to my work in the operation and maintenance of PM2.5 and wet deposition samplers, as well as in Ion Chromatography (IC) and mass concentration analysis (if possible). The training enhanced my understanding of data quality assurance, calibration, sensor comparison, and the integration of satellite and ground-based data. I intend to apply these learnings in improving the accuracy and reliability of our air quality monitoring activities, particularly in our EANET monitoring sites, and to share this knowledge with colleagues through technical discussions and capacity-building initiatives within our laboratory.”

— A comment from a trainee

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Supporting Regional Cooperation

 The 2025 TNT and EANET Capacity Building Program was approved as a Project Activity at the Twenty-sixth Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET in November 2024. It was co-funded by the EANET Project Fund and the Republic of Korea, representing a continued commitment to regional cooperation in environmental protection.

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Find more about the EANET Project Fund.

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View more photos on Flickr.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.