Tag: capacity-building

Building Stronger Air Quality Skills Across Asia – NIER and EANET Wrap Up Session 1 of their 2026 Air Quality Training

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

31 July 2026

Four government officials and researchers from Southeast Asia 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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Immersive Training in Japan

The first part of the program began in Japan from May 11 to 15, 2026. At the DKK-TOA Corporation in Sayama, trainees were introduced to advanced research facilities, including the On-site Ambient Air Pollution Station, and Automatic Measuring Instruments for Ozone and PM2.5.

“The visit to DKK-TOA was one of the most valuable parts of the program for me. Since I have been involved in several AQMS procurement processes, it was very useful to see the instruments firsthand and learn how they operate. This experience gave me a better understanding of air quality monitoring equipment and will help me make more informed decisions when developing specifications that meet Indonesia’s needs while considering both quality and budget.” — A comment from a trainee

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The training at Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) focused on developing technical capacity in ambient air quality monitoring, laboratory analysis, data quality assurance, and air quality assessment, with particular emphasis on PM2.5 and ozone (O3). The program included lectures on the atmospheric environment and the characteristics of PM2.5 and O3 pollution, as well as an overview of monitoring methodologies and quality management procedures. Participants received hands-on training in the operation, routine maintenance, and quality control of PM2.5 and O3 monitoring instruments, including FRM sampling and filter handling procedures. Laboratory sessions covered gravimetric analysis of PM2.5 samples, sample extraction and filtration techniques, and the principles and operation of ion chromatography (IC) for chemical composition analysis. The training also addressed data processing, validation, and interpretation of monitoring results to ensure data reliability and comparability. In addition, participants were introduced about emission inventory development, ozone simulation techniques, and environmental impact assessment approaches, providing an integrated understanding of how air quality monitoring data can be applied to pollution source analysis, air quality modeling, and environmental management. The program concluded with group discussions that facilitated technical exchange and the sharing of experiences among participants.

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“The session of PM2.5 Manual method provided essential knowledge on standard reference methods, specifically focusing on the transition from mass determination (gravimetric measurements) to detailed component analysis. It clearly demonstrated how a single filter can be systematically processed for downstream analysis of ions, trace metals, and carbon fractions, which is highly applicable to our laboratory’s analytical framework.” — A comment from a trainee

 “The practical training was very valuable because I learned routine and periodic maintenance procedures, including flow rate checks, filter tape replacement, instrument inspection, and troubleshooting. These skills will help improve the reliability of PM2.5 monitoring data collected by our monitoring stations.” — A comment from a trainee

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Advanced Technical Training in Republic of Korea

From May 18 to 22, 2026, the training continued in the Republic of Korea. At the National Institute for Environmental Research (NIER) in Incheon, participants learned about the institute’s mission and its efforts in environmental protection and public health. The program included visits to prominent institutions, such as Seoul National University (SNU), the National Air Emission Inventory and Research Center (NAIR), and the Environmental Measurement Instrument Research Centre (KOTITI).

“Regarding the two-day PM 2.5 training at SNU, I would like to share some constructive feedback. The session was mostly observational, focusing on sampling management and a brief introduction to the equipment (XRF, EC/OC, aethalometer, GC-MS). For future sessions, it would be far more impactful if it included direct hands-on practice. Additionally, adding a practical guide on how to process the collected chemical data to identify pollution sources (source apportionment) would make the training truly complete and meaningful.” — A comment from a trainee

At SNU, trainees gained hands-on experience with PM2.5 and received a brief introduction to other instruments such as XRF, GC-MS, OC/EC analyzers, and Aethalometers. At NAIR, they learned about the facility’s role as the National Air Quality Reference Laboratory in Korea, serving as a QA/QC hub. They also explored advanced methods for emission source tracking. At KOTITI, trainees were introduced to the rigorous chamber testing protocols required for commercial sensors to achieve Grade 1 Certification. They observed how low-cost, localized sensor technologies are verified against strict reference standards before being deployed in the public market.

“The visit to the Metropolitan Air Quality Research Center under the NIER Air Quality Department was highly eye opening. It was very beneficial to see how the department’s high-level air quality policies and research guidelines are practically applied at the metropolitan level to monitor urban pollution. — A comment from a trainee

Sharing Knowledge Across the Region

Feedback after the training indicated that all participants found the program in both Japan and the Republic of Korea 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 would like to sincerely thank all organizers, trainers, and host institutions for this valuable two-week training program in Niigata and Seoul. The training provided many useful lessons on air quality management, emission inventory, and environmental monitoring, as well as the opportunity to learn from the experiences of Japan and South Korea. I also appreciate the well-organized program, the interesting site visits, and the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with participants and experts. The knowledge and experience gained during this training will be very useful in supporting my work and contributing to environmental management efforts in my country. Thank you for this great learning opportunity.” — A comment from a trainee

“I plan to share the knowledge and experience gained from this training through internal presentations, technical discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions with colleagues at the Pollution Control Department within one to two months after returning. In addition, I will incorporate relevant lessons learned into training materials and technical guidance documents for air quality monitoring and management activities.”— A comment from a trainee

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Supporting Regional Cooperation

The 2026 TNT and EANET Capacity Building Program was approved as a Project Activity at the Twenty-seventh Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET in November 2025. 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.

EANET Advances Regional VOC Monitoring through Technical Guidance Development and Scientific Exchange

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

27 October 2026

The Drafting Committee Meeting on the Technical Training Guidance for VOC Sampling under EANET was held on 4–7 August 2026 at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) in Niigata, Japan, bringing together experts from seven EANET Participating Countries including Cambodia, China, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Viet Nam, and partner institutions. The meeting focused on developing practical guidance for ambient VOC monitoring through technical discussions, hands-on demonstrations, and scientific exchange on VOCs, ozone, and secondary organic aerosols (SOA).

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Developing the Technical Training Guidance for VOC Monitoring

On 4–5 August, experts from EANET Participating Countries taking part in the project Capacity Building in Promoting VOCs in the EANET worked together to develop the Technical Training Guidance for Ambient VOC Monitoring.

Through technical discussions and peer review sessions, participants examined a range of monitoring approaches, including canister sampling, sorbent tube sampling, charcoal tube sampling, passive samplers, and online monitoring technologies. The discussions placed strong emphasis on practical sampling experience gained under diverse national and environmental conditions, such as high-altitude, large day-time temperature difference and high-humidity conditions. Participants shared lessons learned on sampling procedures, instrument operation, calibration, quality assurance/quality control, detection limits, sample storage, data interpretation, and field operation challenges. These exchanges helped identify common technical needs and good practices that can support more harmonized VOC monitoring across the region, while also providing useful references for countries seeking to develop or strengthen their national ambient VOC guidelines, standards, and monitoring protocols.

Technical discussions on ambient VOC monitoring methodologies

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Practical Demonstrations and Technical Exchange

In addition to document review, participants took part in on-site demonstrations of VOC monitoring technologies, including charcoal tube sampling, passive samplers, GC/MS analysis, and interpretation of monitoring results. These hands-on activities complemented the technical discussions by allowing participants to compare practical approaches, clarify operational issues, and consider how different sampling methods can be applied under varied field conditions in each country.

Hands-on demonstration of VOC monitoring techniques

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Learning from Practical VOC Monitoring at prefectural level in Japan

On 6 August, participants visited the Niigata Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences (NIPHES) to learn how VOC monitoring is planned and implemented at the prefectural level in Japan. Through demonstrations of canister sampling, GC/MS analysis, quality assurance procedures, and field monitoring systems, participants gained practical insights into monitoring operations. The visit also provided a valuable opportunity for experts from Cambodia, the Philippines, Viet Nam, and other EANET countries to exchange experiences with NIPHES researchers and discuss how Japanese monitoring practices could support the development and strengthening of VOC monitoring programs in their own countries.

Study visit to NIPHES

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Open Seminar Highlights Recent VOC Research

On the final day, an open seminar was organized to share recent scientific advances related to VOCs, ozone formation, and secondary organic aerosols. Four invited speakers presented studies covering field observations, airborne monitoring, data interpretation, and assessment methodologies.

Dr. Yujiro Ichikawa, a researcher from Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS), Japan, presented research on biogenic VOC (BVOC) emissions in a suburban forest near Tokyo. Using tower observations and drone-based measurements, the study examined vertical and horizontal variability of isoprene emissions and compared observation results with model estimates. The research demonstrated the value of combining advanced monitoring techniques with atmospheric modeling to better understand BVOC emissions and their role in ozone and SOA formation.

Ms. Jimin Lee, a Ph.D. student at Korea University, Republic of Korea, shared results from the Asia-AQ Campaign, which used aircraft observations to investigate the distribution and transport of VOCs over Korea and the Yellow Sea. The study highlighted the influence of both local emissions and transboundary transport on air quality, demonstrating how airborne observations can provide valuable information on the three-dimensional distribution of pollutants.

Dr. Junya Hoshi, an expert from Tokyo Metropolitan Research Institute for Environment Protection, Japan, introduced research on background VOC concentrations in Japan and their implications for air quality assessment. By comparing urban and background monitoring sites, the study demonstrated the importance of considering regional and long-range transport when evaluating emission control measures and improving air quality simulations.

Prof. Hong Li, a professor from Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES), China, presented methodologies for assessing the contribution of VOCs to secondary organic aerosol formation. The presentation reviewed current approaches for estimating SOA formation potential and concentrations, highlighting the importance of combining observations, laboratory studies, and modeling to support effective air pollution management

Open seminar on VOCs, ozone, and secondary organic aerosols

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Looking Ahead

The meeting concluded with appreciation for the contributions of all committee members and presenters. Participants agreed that the combination of technical discussions, practical demonstrations, and scientific exchange had significantly strengthened the development of the guidance document and enhanced regional cooperation on VOC monitoring.

Once completed, reviewed, and endorsed by the Twenty-sixth Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC26) in Malaysia on 20th – 22nd October, 2026 the technical training guidance is expected to support not only EANET Participating Countries but also other countries in improving ambient VOC monitoring capabilities, strengthening scientific understanding of ozone and particulate matter formation, and promoting more consistent monitoring practices across the region. By compiling practical experiences from countries with different monitoring environments, the guidance will also serve as an important technical reference for countries developing or strengthening national ambient VOC guidelines, standards, and monitoring protocols.

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Find out more on the project “Capacity Building in Promoting VOCs in the EANET”

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to the EANET.

Fellowship Program 2026 Advances Research and Leadership in Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Management

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

24 September 2026

Three young researchers from Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation completed the Fellowship for Building Leadership in Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Management in East Asia (Fellowship Program 2026), jointly implemented by Fudan University in Shanghai, China and the Network Center (NC) for the EANET, in Niigata, Japan. From July to August 2026, the fellows took part in an intensive programme of research, academic exchange, site visits, and international collaboration in China and Japan, aimed at strengthening scientific capacity and leadership in air quality management across the region.

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Three Researchers Selected for Fellowship Program 2026

Following a competitive selection process, three researchers were selected from 13 applicants from seven EANET Participating Countries.

The selected research topics were:

  • Mongolia: Integrating Air Quality Co-benefits into Mongolia’s NDC 3.0 Planning and Reporting: A PM₂.₅-Centered MRV Roadmap for Ulaanbaatar Clean Heating and Building Insulation
  • Republic of Korea: Spatial Distribution and Source Characterization of Ambient VOCs in East Asian Urban Areas Using Passive Samplers: Observations in Ulaanbaatar and Saitama for Ozone and PM Formation Assessment
  • Russian Federation: Adaptation and Preliminary Testing of the Active Ozone Collection Method in Russian Climate Conditions

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Research Activities at Fudan University

From 6 to 24 July 2026, the fellows participated in a three-week intensive research programme at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. During their stay, they joined the 2026 International Summer School Program on Climate Change and Related Risks: Climate Change, Cities and Anthropogenic Impacts, which brought together experts and young researchers to examine emerging challenges and solutions related to climate change.

The programme covered a broad range of topics, including climate change and urban climate effects, extreme weather events and their impacts, atmospheric environment and eco-health impacts, and AI-enabled sustainable development and climate resilience.

In addition to attending lectures and academic sessions, the fellows worked closely with supervisors from Fudan University to refine their research projects and strengthen international research networks. Site visits were also organized, providing practical insights into environmental research and management practices.

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Research Activities at the Network Center for the EANET

Following the programme in Shanghai, the fellows continued their fellowship at the Network Center for the EANET (NC) in Niigata, Japan, from 27 July to 21 August 2026. During this four-week period, they conducted intensive research under the guidance of experts from the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) and collaborated closely with their supervisors. The programme also provided opportunities to engage with environmental research institutions and practitioners working in the fields of atmospheric environment and air quality management.

On 30 July 2026, the three fellows presented their research plans and preliminary findings at ACAP, followed by an interactive discussion with supervisors and experts from the NC.

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Site Visits in Japan

As part of the fellowship programme, all fellows participated in a study visit to the Japan Environmental Sanitation Center (JESC) and Shimadzu Tokyo Innovation Plaza on 3 August 2026. The visit included research presentations by the fellows, discussions with experts, laboratory tours, and exchanges of knowledge on environmental monitoring and analytical technologies.

In addition, the Mongolian fellow visited the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) on 6 and 7 August 2026. Through discussions with experts from both organizations, the fellow gained insights into climate policy development, air pollution co-benefits, international environmental cooperation, and sustainable development initiatives that may support future implementation of research outcomes in Mongolia.

The fellow from the Republic of Korea visited the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS) on 18 August 2026. The visit provided an opportunity to learn about local air quality monitoring activities, research facilities, and analytical approaches related to atmospheric pollutants, further supporting research on volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

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Looking Ahead

On 21 August 2026, the Fellowship Program concluded with a special discussion session on the future development of EANET and the potential contributions of young researchers to regional environmental cooperation. The session provided an opportunity for participants to exchange views on emerging environmental challenges and explore ways to enhance the scientific and policy relevance of EANET.

The programme concluded with closing remarks delivered by Ms. Siwaporn Rungsiyanon, Deputy Director General of ACAP.

The Fellowship Program aims to develop the next generation of leaders in atmospheric environment and air quality management in East Asia through a combination of academic research, international collaboration, practical training, and engagement with environmental organizations. Through the partnership between the EANET and Fudan University, the programme strengthens individual research capacity while promoting long-term regional cooperation to address atmospheric environment and air quality challenges across Asia.

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This project 2026-02 Fellowship for building leadership in Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Management in East Asia received support from the EANET Project Fund.

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View all the Fellowship’s photos on Flickr.

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Photo credits: cover photo Shanghai, China by Hoang Tran (2023); all other photos: all rights reserved to the NC for the EANET.

Webinar Workshop for Emission Inventory of VOCs and its Application for Policy Consideration – Join us on December 4th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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1. Background

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a group of organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure and comprise various components with different chemical characteristics. In addition to the toxic effects of some VOCs, considering atmospheric environmental problems in EANET Participating Countries, VOCs play important roles as precursors of ozone and secondary PM2.5.

To tackle severe air pollution problems, it is essential to understand the status of VOCs’ emissions and consider effective mitigation measures. Emission inventories are essential to obtain such information and help to make appropriate atmospheric environmental policies. However, VOCs’ emissions are from varieties of sources especially evaporative sources such as solvent use, extraction processes of fossil fuels, and evaporative emissions from gasoline vehicles, and thus, a lot of data and information is necessary to estimate emissions of VOCs. Furthermore, in addition to anthropogenic emissions, biogenic sources are important for VOCs’ emissions. Therefore, the framework for the national emission inventory of VOCs is different from other sources.

The Webinar Workshop for Emission Inventory of VOCs and its Application for Policy Consideration will take place on Wednesday 4 December 2024, from 12:30 to 16:35 (UTC+7), via Zoom. The event is organized by the Asian Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), serving as the Network Center for the EANET and with the support of the EANET Project Fund.

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2. Objectives

The objectives of the Emission Inventory Webinar Workshop are to learn basic methodologies to estimate emissions of VOCs from stationary sources and road transport, especially for evaporative sources as well as from biogenic sources. In addition, the roles of emission inventory in atmospheric environmental management, air quality modeling of VOCs, and control measures of VOCs are introduced as applications of emission inventories for policy consideration.

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3. Expected Participants

Policymakers, practitioners, and technical officers of local/national governments related to air pollution issues in the Participating Countries of EANET and other countries in Asia.

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4. Program

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5. Registration

To register, please download and send the registration form (Word format) to the Webinar Workshop Secretariat (eiwws@acap.asia) by 30 November 2024.

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For further inquiries, contact the Webinar Workshop Secretariat.

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Online Workshop on the Utilization of Low Cost Sensors (LCS) for Air Quality Monitoring: Recommendations and Strategies – Join us on November 6th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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1. Background

Air quality administrations usually use conventional reference monitors. However, low- and middle-income countries cannot fully use these in their air quality monitoring networks due to the limitation of resources. Less expensive and smaller monitoring devices, so-called Low-Cost Sensors (LCS), are capable of filling the gaps in existing air quality monitoring networks, and the data measured by LCS may provide information for policy-relevant air quality measures.

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 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Considering emerging sub-regional-scale and serious seasonal air pollution events, such as Ozone and PM2.5 pollution, building a network of reliable and internationally comparable air quality data becomes more important. Thus, practitioners must consider how they can wisely select and use reliable LCS with a network of reference-level monitors in an integrated manner for enhanced air quality monitoring.

The EANET has been supporting the development of air quality monitoring networks in the East Asia region in partnership with its 13 Participating Countries’ governments and scientists, assisting them to develop local capacity of scientific and internationally comparable air quality monitoring. The EANET has expanded its scope to wider air pollution issues in 2021, and the wise use of reliable LCS is one of the EANET’s interests aiming at developing its monitoring capacities. The EANET project titled “Methodology Study for Development of LCS Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN)” has been implemented since 2022, with the support of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, and the EANET Project Fund.

Besides the above-mentioned EANET project, there are other projects implementing air quality monitoring using LCS networks of urban and regional scales in East Asia. These networks are collecting the data via the Internet and some projects demonstrate real-time data. These preceded projects show how LCS technology and citizen participation can contribute to monitoring and improving air quality. They also show how data transparency and open access are important to increase public awareness of air pollution issues.

The Online Workshop on the Utilization of Low-Cost Sensors for Air Quality Monitoring: Recommendations and Strategies will take place on Wednesday 6 November 2024, from 13:00 to 16:45 (UTC+7), via Zoom. The event is organized by the Asian Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), serving as the Network Center for the EANET.

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2. Objectives
  • To share information on technical requirements, data management, and visualization, citizen participation, policy involvement, and business models by preceded projects on LCS monitoring networks in the Asian region
  • To discuss scopes and challenges for establishing a sustainable LCS monitoring network in East Asia and for sharing LCS data and scientific findings to strengthen efforts to improve the regional air quality in East Asia.
  • To consider recommendations on future directions of LCS monitoring in EANET

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3. Expected Participants

Policymakers, practitioners, and technical officers of local/national governments related to air pollution issues in the Participating Countries of EANET and other countries in Asia.

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4. Concept Note, Agenda and Speakers

Download the Concept Note and Programme.

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET

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Building Capacity for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Monitoring: EANET Successfully Concludes the 2024 Annual Meeting and Training

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

21 November 2024 – Niigata, Japan

In October 2024, ACAP, serving as the Network Center (NC) for the EANET successfully concluded both the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Project’s Annual Meeting and Training at the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS), Japan. The NC for the EANET is implementing the  Project Capacity Building in Promoting VOCs in the EANET, approved by the Twenty-fifth Intergovernmental Meeting (IG25) in 2023, with the financial support of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ).

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EANET VOC Annual Meeting Reviews Progress and Discusses Plans for 2025

The VOCs Annual Meeting took place at the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS),  in Saitama, Japan, on October 22nd and 23rd 2024 and gathered the VOCs Advisory Group members as well as members from the Participating Countries including Cambodia, China, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam, responsible for overseeing this project. The goal of the meeting was to review the progress to date and develop a detailed plan for 2025 focusing mainly on monitoring methods, sites, and timing.

The Annual Meeting was conducted both in-person at CESS and online. Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Mitsuo Uematsu, President of CESS, and Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), moderated by Dr. Meihua Zhu, Chief Senior Researcher of the Planning and Training Department of ACAP. Each Participating Country shared their project progress in 2024 and their monitoring and related capacity building plan. During the meeting, Dr. Soo Ran Won, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, gave a special talk entitled: a Research Introduction on the “First measurement report for Volatile Organic Compounds’ characteristics during winter in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia”. During the Annual Meeting, participants reviewed the progress of the project’s activities in 2024 and discussed the activity plan for 2025.

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Participants at the Annual VOCs Meeting and during the field visit to GL Sciences

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On the second day, on October 23rd, a site survey of an VOCs’ instrument manufacturer was conducted at GL Sciences, Saitama prefecture, Japan. The site survey included an introduction to GL Sciences and to their support system, air analysis instruments, and related products. It also consisted of a laboratory tour and presentation of various equipments’ usage such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with canister concentrator, GC-MS with thermal desorption, sampling and related tools, and air sampler for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

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Highlights of the Training – VOCs Monitoring and Measurement

The Training Program for VOCs Monitoring and Measurement was held at the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS), Japan, from October 21st to 25th 2024. To conduct the training in a cost- and time-efficient manner, online lectures were provided to the trainees prior to the hands-on training in Japan. The proposed curriculum for online training consisted of three parts: a background introduction to VOCs, an introduction to VOCs’ monitoring methodologies, and an introduction to case studies on VOCs’ monitoring. Five participants from Cambodia, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam, in charge of VOCs monitoring and lab work and part of EANET VOCs project, participated to the training. The VOCs Advisory Group members, CESS, and the NC actively provided support.

On the first two days, Mr. Kouki Sasaka, Group Reader, Atmospheric Environment Group, CESS, and Dr. Yujiro Ichikawa, Researcher, Atmospheric Environment Group, CESS, provided lectures on canister and flow controller including on canister cleaning, flow controller cleaning and flow adjustment, canister sampling, dilutor, preparation of standard gas, pre-concentrator and GC/MS. From October 24 to the afternoon of the 25th, a representative from Nishikawa Keisoku Co., Ltd. presented a lecture on standard and sample measurement (Preconcentrator-GC/MS), data analysis, and the daily maintenance of GC/MS. In the afternoon of October 25, a lecture on air sampling pumps, sorbent tubes (both active and passive), and Low-Cost Sensors was shared by a representative of Sibata Scientific Technology Ltd.  During the closing session, Dr. Akio Imai, Research Director at the CESS presented the completion certificate to the trainees on behalf of the program organizers.

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VOCs trainees from Cambodia, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam at the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, and with their completion certificates

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The successful conclusion of the VOCs Project’s Annual Meeting and Training in 2024 strengthens EANET countries’ capacity to monitor and manage VOC emissions. Through collaboration, hands-on training, and advanced monitoring technologies, the initiative sets a solid foundation for improving air quality monitoring in the region.

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Find out more about the EANET Projects.

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Useful Resources

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

Highlights of the EANET Online Seminar on Particulate Matter and Haze in Southeast Asia

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

12 February 2025 – Niigata, Japan

The EANET Online Seminar for Particulate Matter Problems including Haze in Southeast Asia took place on 20 December 2024. Organized by the Network Center for the EANET, it gathered 88 participants, from the EANET Participating Countries and beyond, to discuss the various effects of PM/Haze pollution on ecosystems and human health.

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Opening Session

Prof. Fan Meng, Deputy Director General, of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, ACAP (the Network Center for the EANET), delivered the Opening Remarks. He highlighted the need for integrated approaches to address shared challenges, particularly in cooperation between EANET and the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).

Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET delivered the Welcome Remarks. He emphasized the importance of understanding pollution sources, meteorological influences, and the need for collaborative efforts among scientists, government officials, and intergovernmental bodies like ASEAN to mitigate this problem.

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Effects of Particulate Matter (PM) in the Atmospheric Environment in East Asia

Mr. Wiraditma Prananta, from the Environment Division at the ASEAN Secretariat highlighted ASEAN’s commitment to addressing transboundary haze pollution through the Second ASEAN Haze-Free Roadmap 2023–2030. He outlined the historical impacts of haze pollution, ASEAN’s adoption of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), and the development of successive haze-free roadmaps, with the current one aiming to eliminate haze by 2030 through strategies such as sustainable land management and enhanced monitoring. The roadmap emphasizes regional and subregional activities, sustainable peatland management, and a haze knowledge portal while addressing challenges such as resource mobilization and root causes of fires. Mr. Wiraditma Prananta concluded with a call for collaboration among stakeholders to achieve a haze-free region and improve environmental and air quality standards by 2030.

Mr. Zhong-Yi Chia, from the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre (ASMC) explained the small haze dispersion modeling efforts at ASMC, focusing on the integration of fire hotspot emissions, weather forecasts, and observational data to predict haze spread. He highlighted the challenges of modeling in the tropical region, such as thick cloud cover, transient weather phenomena, and limited ground observation coverage, while detailing the use of tools such as the United Kingdom’s Met Office’s Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME) model and wildfire emission estimations based on fire radiative power and land cover maps.

Dr. Eric Zusman, from the Integrated Sustainability Centre, Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES) focused on addressing haze pollution in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the need for multi-level and multi-stakeholder solutions, particularly through the implementation of a roadmap running from 2023 to 2030. The roadmap includes nine strategies targeting PM2.5 pollution and haze episodes, aligning with the World Health Organization’s air pollution standards and promoting evidence-based, integrated approaches tied to climate, biodiversity, and development goals. Key challenges to implementing solutions, such as open burning restrictions, stem from social, institutional, economic, and technological barriers. He advocated for enabling environments, awareness programs, and innovative governance models to overcome these barriers, leveraging both cooperative and competitive frameworks for scaling effective solutions.

Panelists from the EANET Online Seminar on Particulate Matter and Haze in Southeast Asia

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Overview of the Scientific Knowledge on PM Pollution in Other Regions

Dr. Jan Eiof Jonson from the Meteorological Synthesizing Centre-West of EMEP (MSC-W of EMEP), Norwegian Meteorological Institute, focused on the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution under United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), addressing environmental challenges such as acid deposition, air pollution, and wildfire impacts. He highlighted the establishment of monitoring centers across Europe and North America to track emissions, pollutants such as PM 2.5, and their transboundary effects. Pollution reduction trends, driven by legislation, are noted, though discrepancies in reporting and uncertainties remain. Satellite data and emission datasets including the Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS) and FINN v2.5 are utilized for monitoring wildfire emissions and assessing their effects on air quality and climate. Key challenges include differences in emission estimates, injection heights, fire radiative power, and regional variability. He stressed the need for global collaboration and further refinement in modeling to support effective policy development, particularly in Europe.

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Closing Session

Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of ACAP, delivered the Closing Remarks. He emphasized the importance and common challenge for all countries in Southeast Asia to gain a better understanding of the status of PM health pollution and to explore the best solutions to reduce it. He concluded by expressing hope that this workshop would be a good opportunity to strengthen collaboration between EANET and the ASEAN.

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Find out more on EANET Project Fund and EANET Projects.

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Useful Resources:

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Photo credits: featured image by Michael Chacon (2019); all other images: all rights reserved to EANET.

Measuring air pollutant emissions: EANET strengthens capacity in developing national emission inventories

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

30 July 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

A regional orientation session for the Regional Capacity Building Programme on Air Pollution Emissions Inventory kicked off on 8 July 2025, drawing environmental professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss emission inventories, data systems, and regional collaboration. The session marks the launch of a multi-phase capacity-building regional programme aimed at strengthening national air quality management and is jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Asia-Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP), the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), in partnership with EANET.

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About the Programme

The initiative is part of the Regional Capacity Building Programme on Air Pollution Emission Inventory for the Asia Pacific Region, which seeks to strengthen institutional capabilities and support the development of more effective, evidence-based air quality management tools across the region.

UNEP, with support from the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea and in partnership with AIT, is leading this initiative. The programme offers a structured curriculum combining theoretical learning, case studies, practical assignments, group work, interactive sessions, field-based exercises, and site visits. Training will take place from June to September 2025, including online sessions in July and an in-person component at the AIT campus in Bangkok, Thailand, in September. More details on the curriculum and selection criteria are available in the programme’s Concept Note.

This regional programme is generously supported by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea as part of EANET Project Activity 2025-06, titled “Development of methodology and guidelines for national emission inventory and capacity building program for Southeast Asia.” This activity, approved at the Twenty-Sixth Session of the EANET Intergovernmental Meeting (IG26), contributes significantly to EANET’s regional collaboration and technical capacity-building efforts.

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Opening Remarks: Emphasizing Regional Collaboration

In her opening remarks, Ms. Shin Bong-Ju, Deputy Director of the Air Quality Division at the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, emphasized the importance of emission inventories as the foundation for effective air quality management. She shared the vision behind the programme and encouraged stronger cooperation across borders to combat air pollution.

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Programme Structure and Curriculum

The session featured a detailed overview of the training programme, presented by Ms. Kaye Patdu, Programme Management Officer – APCAP at UNEP, and Interim Coordinator for EANET Secretariat, and Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Associate Professor at AIT. The programme consists of three phases:

  1. Orientation Session (completed on 8 July 2025)
  2. Online Training Workshops on 17, 24, and 31 July 2025
  3. In-Person Workshop from 9–12 September 2025 at AIT in Pathum Thani, Thailand.

The curriculum includes six modules, beginning with an introduction to emissions inventory, followed by data collection and management. It then covers sectoral emission estimation, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), and the use of tools for inventory development. The final module focuses on reporting and the application of emission inventories in policymaking.

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Engaged and Diverse Participation

The orientation session welcomed 30 participants from across the Asia-Pacific region, including representatives from: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Participants—many of whom are actively engaged in EANET activities—shared their backgrounds, goals, and expectations. They expressed a strong interest in learning new tools and methodologies to support evidence-based policymaking and improve national emission inventory systems.

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Screenshot from some participants at the orientation session on 8 July 2025.

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Closing and Next Steps

Ms. Ji Hyun Lee, Senior Programme Management Officer at UNEP, delivered the closing remarks. She encouraged participants to stay actively engaged and reiterated the importance of sustained regional collaboration. She also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea for their generous support.

This training series directly supports EANET’s core mission to enhance cooperation, harmonize air quality data, and build capacity among Participating Countries to address atmospheric deposition and related air pollution challenges.

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Find out more about the EANET Project Fund.

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Photo credits: cover photo by Prasopchok (2024); all other photos: all rights reserved to AIT.

EANET VOCs Project Annual Meeting 2025 Strengthens Regional Cooperation on Air Quality

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

October 2025 – Gwangju, Republic of Korea

The EANET Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Project Annual Meeting 2025 was successfully held from 15 to 17 October 2025 at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. The meeting brought together 25 participants from Cambodia, China, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Viet Nam, and the United States, participating both in person and online. The event was organized by the Network Center for the EANET in collaboration with the Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment (KOSAE).

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EANET VOCs Annual Meeting: Reviewing Progress and Future Plans

The EANET VOCs Annual Meeting, held from 15 to 16 October, provided a platform for reviewing project implementation, promoting EANET’s VOC initiatives, and exchanging scientific knowledge on emerging trends in VOC emissions. Opening remarks by Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), and Prof. Gang-Woong Lee of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies highlighted the urgent need to strengthen VOC monitoring across East Asia to support regional air quality management.

Representatives from Mongolia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Viet Nam presented progress achieved in 2025 and outlined their implementation plans for 2026, as part of the EANET Project Capacity Building in Promoting VOCs in the EANET. Participants also discussed next steps for the project. In addition, the EANET Network Center introduced the outline of a technical training guidance for VOC monitoring, noting that a drafting committee has been established and a preparation schedule agreed.

VOC annual meeting group photo

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KOSAE–ACAP Joint International Symposia

On 15 October, the KOSAE–ACAP Joint International Symposia I and II featured expert presentations on VOC monitoring, source apportionment, and management strategies in East Asia and beyond. Speakers shared recent findings from field campaigns, laboratory studies, and policy-oriented research, highlighting advances in measurement techniques and the role of VOCs in ozone and PM₂.₅ formation.

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Plenary Session at the KOSAE Conference

The KOSAE Conference Plenary Session on 16 October offered a broader perspective on VOC emissions and air quality challenges. Presentations addressed trends and future projections of anthropogenic VOC emissions in East Asia, difficulties in achieving ozone standards, and recent progress and remaining challenges in national air quality improvement efforts.

KOSAE Conference Plenary Session

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EANET VOC Seminars: Advancing Technical Knowledge

EANET VOC Seminars 1 and 2, held from 16 to 17 October, focused on advanced monitoring techniques, emission inventories, modeling approaches, and environmental impacts of VOCs, including secondary organic aerosol formation. The seminars also highlighted ongoing and new international collaborative research initiatives.

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Closing Remarks

In closing, Dr. Meng Fan, Deputy Director-General of ACAP and the EANET Network Center, expressed sincere appreciation to KOSAE for its strong cooperation in co-organizing the meeting and thanked participating countries, experts, and partner institutions for their continued engagement. He reaffirmed EANET’s commitment to strengthening regional collaboration on VOC monitoring and research to improve air quality across East Asia.

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Read the full summary of the event here.

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Photo credits: cover photo, “a group of people standing on top of a grass covered field” by Daniel Bernard (2021); all other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.

Collaboration in Action: NIER and EANET Wrap Up Session 2 of their 2025 Air Quality Training

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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

Participants in the Republic of Korea

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

Participants in Japan

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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.