First Expert Meeting

Chairman’s Summary

1. The Expert Meeting on Acid Precipitation Monitoring Network in East Asia was held in Toyama, Japan on 26 to 28 October, 1993. It was organized by the Environment Agency of Japan and was participated in by senior officials and researchers from People’s Republic of China, Republic of Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand and Russian Federation as well as experts from the European Monitoring and Evaluation Program (EMEP), the United States National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) and the World Bank.
2. Throughout the Meeting, the participants had an open and frank exchange of information and views on acid precipitation in each country, especially on policies and measures, monitoring, and effect on ecosystems as well as the future direction toward regional cooperation on this issue.
3. The participants shared the view that atmospheric protection including air pollution and acid precipitation is one of the critical issues for environmentally sound and sustainable development which is a common concern to the entire region of East Asia.
4. Each country has made its effort for decades to tackle the worsening air pollution through establishing legislation and organizations.
5. It was recognized that acid precipitation, which is drawing increasing attention, is observed in East Asia. Considering the expanding economies in the region, it was feared that adverse effects of acid precipitation would become a critical problem in certain areas in the future although evidence of the effects of acid precipitation on ecosystems has yet to be determined.
6. It was pointed out that a comprehensive approach might be appropriate to assess the impact of acid precipitation because it is a complex phenomenon involving many factors including the acidity of deposition and soil sensitivity.
7. It was widely recognized that more efforts should be made for the monitoring of acid precipitation as well as modeling and emission inventory in each country.
8. It was recommended that the monitoring of acid precipitation should be improved and strengthened to cover chemical components of acid deposition as well as the measurement of pH.
9. Regional cooperation being essential to this end, it was stressed that an appropriate way of collaborative monitoring should be studied to assess the state of acid precipitation in East Asia. Taking into account the fact that the monitoring methods vary with countries, the participants found it beneficial to have a guideline suitable for this region.
10. It was expressed that these collaborative efforts could result in the establishment of an “Acid Precipitation Monitoring Network in East Asia” in the near future.
11. All the countries expressed appreciation for the kind attendance of EMEP, NAPAP and the World Bank and hoped that the collaboration with such leading organizations in the field of acid precipitation should be further promoted to explore the possibility of a monitoring network of acid precipitation in this region.
12. The participants appreciated that the Environment Agency of Japan could play a coordinating role toward the establishment of a monitoring network and host this kind of expert meeting for the next two years.
13. The participants expressed their appreciation to the Environment Agency of Japan for organizing this Meeting and to the governments and people of Toyama Prefecture and Toyama City for their warm hospitality during the Meeting.