Joint SATREPS-EANET Mission Supports Air Quality Monitoring Capacity Development in Cambodia
21 July 2026
A joint technical mission under the Japanese Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) research project Establishment of a Risk Management Platform for Air Pollution in Cambodia (Air-SATREPS) and the EANET was conducted in Cambodia from 8 to 12 June 2026. The mission combined technical training and a regional workshop to strengthen air quality monitoring capacity and support the use of scientific evidence in air quality management and policymaking.
The activities were jointly organized by Air-SATREPS and the Asia Center for Air Pollution Reseach (ACAP) hosting the Network Center for the EANET, with participation from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia, and Kanazawa University, Japan.
.
Enhancing Monitoring and Analytical Capacity
Since 2021, the Air-SATREPS project has supported Cambodia’s efforts to address air pollution through PM2.5 monitoring and chemical analysis. Building on earlier training conducted in Japan, the programme expanded its scope to include gaseous pollutants, ozone monitoring, data management, and quality assurance.
The mission focused on strengthening practical skills in monitoring, laboratory analysis, and quality assurance while promoting cooperation among participating institutions. Dr. Chanmoly OR of ITC and Mr. Raksmey YIM of the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia provided support in facilitating training activities and EANET monitoring implementation in Cambodia.
.
.
Technical Training and Knowledge Exchange
At ITC, participants attended lectures and practical sessions on wet and dry deposition monitoring, filter pack sampling, and ion chromatography analysis. Laboratory exercises provided opportunities to improve sample extraction techniques, calibration practices, and quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures.
Technical discussions between Cambodian and Japanese experts focused on analytical methods, operational challenges, and approaches to improving data quality and reliability. The exchanges also helped identify practical measures to strengthen laboratory operations and monitoring practices.
.
.
Ozone Monitoring and Calibration
Ozone monitoring was another key component of the mission. Participants conducted calibration of automatic ozone monitors at the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia and ITC facilities and reviewed maintenance procedures, including consumable replacement and calibration adjustments. Parallel monitoring using reference instruments was initiated to improve data consistency and comparability.
.
.
Regional Workshop on PM2.5 Source Information
The mission concluded with a regional workshop on air pollution policy based on PM2.5 source information. Experts from Cambodia and across East Asia shared experiences on source apportionment, monitoring challenges, chemical fingerprinting, and policy applications of scientific research.
Presentations highlighted the use of satellite observations, monitoring networks, modelling approaches, and source apportionment tools to better understand pollution sources and support policy development. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening technical capacity, improving data availability, and enhancing collaboration between researchers and policymakers.
.
Next Steps
The mission concluded with discussions on continued technical support for monitoring activities in Phnom Penh, further analysis of ozone monitoring data, enhanced data sharing between ITC and the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia, and future collaboration under EANET and SATREPS. The initiative contributes to strengthening sustainable air quality monitoring systems and evidence-based environmental policymaking in Cambodia and the wider East Asian region.
.
Find out more about the EANET Project Fund.
.
Useful Resources
– Read the Joint training and Technical Mission’s summary.
– Find more about Regional Workshop here
– Read the Presentation materials of speakers in the Regional Workshop:
–Preliminary results of atmospheric pollutants in Bangkok during GEMS-AQ
–PM2.5 Monitoring Status & Source Apportionment in Indonesia
– Read about the previous joint training: Joint SATREPS–EANET Training Advances PM2.5 Source Apportionment Capacity in Cambodia
.
Photo credits: all rights reserved to the EANET.