5 May 2025, Japan and the Republic of Korea

Four government officials and researchers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, and Mongolia 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) program aimed to strengthen technical expertise among EANET Participating Countries.

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Immersive Training in Japan

The first part of the program began in Japan from April 14 to 18, 2025. At the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Tsukuba, trainees were introduced to advanced research facilities, including the atmospheric chamber and lidar system. Lectures covered various topics such as oceanic observation networks, Fourier-transformed infrared spectrometry (FTS), and chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CI-MS).

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At the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), participants studied topics including the ecological effects of atmospheric deposition, QA/QC activities in EANET, and the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project. Training also covered monitoring of soil, vegetation, and aquatic environments, and included a site visit to the Niigata city monitoring station to observe practical applications in air quality monitoring.

“Visiting the Niigata Monitoring Site and the Niigata Prefecture office provides an excellent opportunity to learn about local air quality monitoring and environmental management practices. The monitoring site offers hands-on experience in collecting and analyzing real-time air quality data, while the Prefecture office provides insight into how data is used to inform policy decisions and pollution control strategies at the regional level. This combined knowledge will be valuable for improving air quality management and implementing effective environmental policies in my country.”

— A comment from a trainee

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Advanced Technical Training in Korea

From April 21 to May 2, 2025, the training continued in the Republic of Korea. 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 Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), the National Air Emission Inventory Research Center (NAIR), the Han River Environmental Research Center, and the Jeju Island Air Quality Research Center.

“The cruise ship tour on the Bukhan River was a memorable experience, allowing me to enjoy the natural scenery, observe the habitat of black birds, and learn how the river’s water quality is measured.”

— A comment from a trainee

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At SNU, trainees received instruction in air filter sampling and analysis techniques. At UNIST, the focus was on international research collaboration and satellite monitoring validation. At NAIR, they learned how air emissions data from various sources is compiled to support environmental policy and compliance. The Jeju Center visit introduced trainees to remote sensing and high-precision instruments for monitoring air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur compounds.

“The National Air Emission Inventory and Research Center (NAIR) of Korea is highly valuable for my capacity building because it leads in the systematic collection, analysis, and management of national air emissions data, which directly supports evidence-based air quality policies. As a professional in Air Quality, Noise, and Vibration, learning from NAIR’s advanced emission inventory system, modeling tools, and data validation methods would significantly enhance my technical skills and support the development of more accurate and effective air quality strategies in my country.”

— A comment from a trainee

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Sharing Knowledge Across the Region

According to post-training feedback, all participants found the program in both Japan and the Republic of Korea to be highly valuable. It is expected that the experience and knowledge gained will be shared with colleagues through seminars, lectures, or study meetings in their home countries, contributing to capacity building in air quality management across the EANET region.

“The discussion on the challenges faced by each country regarding the main sources of environmental pollution is an important matter, as it provides participants with the opportunity to share their views, experiences, and suggestions based on their respective national contexts. This allows for a deeper understanding of regional pollution issues and paves the way for more effective collaboration and solutions through platforms such as EANET.”

— 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.