Tag: Lao PDR

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the EANET

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

27 October 2025 – Vientiane, Lao PDR

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC25) on the EANET was held from 20 to 22 October 2025, in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and online. The Session gathered over 50 representatives from the EANET Participating Countries, along with the Secretariat and the Network Center for the EANET, and observers from institutions interested in partnering with the EANET. The SAC25 served as a milestone meeting to review progress, assess EANET’s monitoring and research activities, and propose scientific recommendations on the Draft Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030) to the upcoming Twenty-seventh Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27).

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Opening Session

The SAC25 opened with welcoming remarks from Mr. Khamsene Ounekham, Director General of the Biotechnology and Ecology Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, who highlighted the importance of the SAC’s role in advancing atmospheric monitoring and regional collaboration. Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), underscored the region’s persistent air pollution challenges and called for stronger science–policy links, innovative monitoring, and integration of climate and nitrogen management. Ms. Yujeong Kim, Ad Interim Coordinator for the Secretariat for the EANET, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), emphasized the region’s progress and continued urgency in tackling air pollution, reflecting on EANET’s 25 years of achievements and upcoming plans, including drafting the Fifth Periodic Report on the State of Acid Deposition in East Asia (PRSAD5), and the next Medium-Term Plan for 2026-2030 aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

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Progress of EANET in 2024–2025

EANET continued to strengthen its Core and Project Activities under the current Medium-Term Plan (MTP) 2021–2025, advancing both its scientific and collaborative agenda.

Key highlights in 2025 included the organization of National Awareness Workshops in Lao PDR, and Mongolia, conducted in partnership with ESCAP’s Clean Air for Sustainable ASEAN (CASA) Project and the Northeast Asia Clean Air Partnership (NEACAP), respectively. These workshops contributed to raising awareness and strengthening technical capacity for air pollution monitoring and management in the region.

Promotion of data sharing with regional and global partners was enhanced, including through engagement with ESCAP’s Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution (RAPAP), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) data sharing platforms, and the World Health Organization (WHO)’s publication Air Quality, Energy and Health: Science and Policy Summaries. Significant progress was made on the drafting of the Fifth Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030), which will guide EANET’s next phase of strategic actions.

The Network Center presented updates on dry and wet deposition monitoring, catchment-scale ecosystem studies, and nitrogen management.

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Adoption of Key Scientific Reports

The SAC25 reviewed and adopted several key technical documents including:

  • The EANET Data Report 2024, featuring updated monitoring results on wet and dry deposition, ozone, and ecosystem impacts across 13 EANET Participating Countries.
  • The Report on the Inter-Laboratory Comparison (ILC) Projects 2024, confirming the analytical consistency and reliability of laboratory analyses across the network.
  • The Updated National Monitoring Plans (NMPs), underscoring Participating Countries’ continued commitment to harmonized methodologies and improved data quality.

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Strengthening Scientific Collaboration and Innovation

The SAC25 highlighted the importance of maintaining strong quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) systems, expanding data access, and fostering regional collaboration. The Committee endorsed the Guidelines for Establishing Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Networks (HAQMN) and the Technical Manual for Hybrid Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors, incorporating updates based on feedback from SAC24. These resources, developed with reference to standards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the European Commission (EC), will guide EANET countries in improving data reliability and calibration practices. EANET also continued projects on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) monitoring, PM₂.₅ source identification, and nitrogen management.

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Looking Ahead

Twelve Project Plans for 2026 were also reviewed, including initiatives on nitrogen deposition assessment, satellite-based air quality monitoring, sustainable agriculture for clean air, and leadership training in atmospheric environment management. Project leads interested in collaborating with the EANET through the EANET Project Fund presented their project plans during the meeting. The Project leads included the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Clean Air Asia, the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the Thailand Hub of Talents, and UNEP.

The SAC25 reviewed the Draft Medium-Term Plan (MTP) (2026–2030), which will guide EANET’s work for the next five years and reaffirmed EANET’s key role as a regional scientific network supporting cooperation and data-driven policymaking to improve air quality across East Asia.

Recommendations and outcomes from SAC25 will be presented at the Twenty-seventh Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27), to be held on 27-28 November in Bangkok, Thailand, back-to-back with UNEP’s Clean Air Week.

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Read the SAC25 Report of the Session.

View the photos on Flickr.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to the Secretariat for the EANET.

EANET Regional Workshop 2024: Unlocking and Future-Proofing Air Quality Management in Asia

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

18 June 2024, Bangkok, Thailand

Focused on unlocking and future-proofing air quality management in Asia, the regional multi-stakeholder consultation workshop was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 27 and 28 2024.  Co-organized by UNEP, ESCAP, and EANET, it aimed to improve multilateral and international cooperation on air pollution, drawing 212 participants from 32 countries, including representatives from academia, government, youth groups, NGOs, the private sector, and UN agencies.

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Opening Session

Ms. Maria Cristina Zucca, Head of the Pollution and Health Unit at UNEP opened the workshop. She stressed the health risks of air pollution, causing 6.5 million deaths annually, mainly in Asia-Pacific. She urged for robust action and multilateral cooperation, citing the UNEA-6 resolution on promoting regional cooperation on air pollution. Dr. Sangmin Nam, Director of the Environment and Development Division at ESCAP, highlighted the public health impact in Asia-Pacific and emphasized the importance of regional technical cooperation through RAPAP. Dr. Le Ngoc Cau, Deputy Director General of the Viet Nam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Climate Change, and Chair of the Bureau of the 25th Intergovernmental EANET Meeting emphasized the significance of EANET and called for continued regional cooperation to advance air quality management, including monitoring additional pollutants.

Transitioning to future-oriented strategies, Dr. Andrea Hinwood, Chief Scientist at UNEP, delivered a keynote presentation on the importance of horizon scanning and strategic foresight in air quality management. She stressed the interconnectedness of air pollution, climate change, and biodiversity, and how these factors collectively impact public health and the environment.

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Horizon Scanning for Air Quality Management

The workshop continued with experts from the World Health Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, the Thai Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, and the Stockholm Environment Institute setting the scene on Air Quality Management in Asia.

Several strategies were proposed to effectively address air pollution. Firstly, the implementation of WHO guidelines on air pollution was advocated, with aims to save lives, disseminate knowledge, establish standards, promote dialogue, and contribute to climate action. Secondly, leveraging both Low-Cost Sensors and satellite data was suggested to bridge gaps in atmospheric monitoring. This approach could support existing monitoring networks and prioritize early warning systems for events such as Dust and Sand Storms (DSS) wildfires, and overall air quality. Thirdly, enhancing air pollution monitoring using satellite data was recommended, with a comprehensive approach that included mapping, monitoring, modeling, and measuring. Additionally, integrating data from various spheres such as the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere was proposed to gain a better understanding of air pollution dynamics. Collaboration with international organizations was also encouraged. Finally, recognizing clean air as a fundamental human right was emphasized. Prioritizing data collection on areas and populations most affected by air pollution was deemed essential for targeted interventions and policy formulation.

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Panel Discussion on Understanding the Transboundary Haze Issue

A panel of experts from the Thailand Environmental Institute, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, the governments of Lao PDR, and Japan discussed the Transboundary Haze issue in Asia.

Key actions were emphasized in addressing haze pollution. Collaboration among ASEAN countries was deemed crucial to address transboundary haze pollution, with a focus on implementing regional initiatives such as the ASEAN Haze-Free Roadmap. Engagement of various stakeholders beyond traditional forestry sectors, including agriculture and biodiversity sectors, was seen as necessary to address land-clearing practices. Developing robust warning systems like the WMO’s Vegetation Fire and Smoke Pollution Warning Advisory and Assessment System was considered vital, alongside enforcing national laws and fostering regional cooperation to combat haze pollution effectively. Prioritizing sustainable land and forest management, particularly in regions like the Mekong countries, was highlighted as essential to prevent large-scale fires. Providing financial support for projects addressing air quality management and ensuring scientific findings translated into actionable solutions through community engagement and implementation-focused initiatives were both emphasized.

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Unlocking Finance for Clean Air in Cities

The session on unlocking financial resources for clean air initiatives brought together experts from various organizations including UNEP, the Clean Air Fund, representatives from the governments of the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Mongolia, the World Bank, and the Massive Earth Foundation.

National governments were advised to establish robust legal and policy frameworks and secure long-term funding for air quality initiatives. Government support, societal investment in environmental efforts, substantial funding mechanisms, and private sector involvement were deemed crucial. Learning from examples such as Mongolia, considering the environmental impact of small businesses, and raising awareness through NGOs was recommended. Regional cooperation, international funding channels, and domestic commitments to funding air quality projects were seen as essential. Climate action presented opportunities for industrial innovation. Reforming vehicle tax systems to prioritize mileage and emissions over vehicle type, inspired by successful reforms in Europe, could fund clean air initiatives.

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A Global Knowledge Platform on Air Quality

Juliette Laurent from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) emphasized the importance of assessment, political support, and future planning for air quality management, introducing the CCAC’s Air Quality Management Exchange (AQMx) initiative.

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Future Challenges and Solutions in Air Quality Management

The final session of the workshop addressed future challenges and potential solutions in air quality management. Experts from UNEP, the governments of Japan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, and ESCAP, participated in this session.

The discussions emphasized regional and subregional bodies, as well as financing institutions, to develop and implement regional solutions and cooperate on setting goals for air quality improvement, as outlined in UNEA Resolution 6/10. Panelists underscored the need for essential resource mobilization and tailored regional solutions to achieve significant air quality improvements. Strengthening international and regional collaboration through platforms such as RAPAP, EANET, and the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) was recommended, focusing on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and joint research projects. It was also suggested to promote greater regional coherence and harmonization towards cleaner air, leveraging cooperative channels, and addressing regional ozone pollution. Prioritizing technology and innovation, improving data accuracy for public communication, and fostering international and regional cooperation were highlighted as essential for effectively combating air pollution. Leveraging geospatial data, ground-based sensors, digital technology, AI, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and fostering cross-border collaboration were also recommended strategies.

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RAPAP as a Collective Action Programme

The sessions on 28 May focused on the Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution (RAPAP) which was adopted by ESCAP member States at the 7th Committee on Environment and Development in 2022, and subsequently endorsed by ESCAP resolution (79/6). RAPAP provides a framework or reference for national, subregional, multilateral, and multistakeholder mechanisms to advance their cooperation agenda for clean air in the Asia Pacific region. The sessions aimed at exchanging information and updates on initiatives supporting regional clean air cooperation, identifying focus areas, and recommending actions to enhance collaboration and stakeholder contributions.

Experts from UN agencies, Development agencies, Foundations, the ASEAN, NGOs, research institutes, and Asian governments discussed opportunities for technical cooperation involving identifying training needs, sharing best practices, and promoting partnerships to tackle air pollution. Recommendations for accelerating regional cooperation were discussed, including developing coordinated strategies, enhancing air quality monitoring and technical assistance, and improving communication and stakeholder engagement.

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Useful Resources

Download the speakers’ presentations:

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to UNEP, ESCAP, and EANET.

Advancing Atmospheric and Environmental Monitoring in Asia: Technical Missions Supporting EANET Countries in 2023 and 2024

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

Bangkok, 20 February 2024

The Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), as the Network Center (NC) for the EANET, has undertaken a series of technical missions aimed at supporting EANET Participating Countries to conduct their monitoring activities, e.g. Wet and Dry Deposition of atmospheric pollutants, inland, soil & vegetation and catchment monitoring, and meteorological data. From Mongolia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Cambodia, these missions have sought to enhance environmental monitoring capabilities and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders.

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Enhancing Monitoring Infrastructures in Mongolia

In Mongolia, the technical mission took place from 12th to 19th November 2023 in Ulaanbaatar and focused on updating monitoring site information and providing advanced technical guidance on the analysis of ion chromatography results. Additionally, a new rain sensor was deployed to enhance data accuracy. Meetings with the National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring (NAMEM), the Central Laboratory of Environment and Meteorology (CLEM), the German-Mongolia Institute for Resources and Technology (GMIT), and the National University of Mongolia took place and aimed at deepening the understanding of EANET activities, particularly in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) monitoring. Successful training sessions on VOCs monitoring, utilizing the sorbent tubes method, were conducted to reinforce local capacities.

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Technical Knowledge Exchange in Indonesia

The technical mission in Indonesia took place from 11th to 16th December 2023 in Jakarta and Bandung, in partnership with the Secretariat for the EANET. It involved collaboration with laboratories affiliated with EANET activities. Visits were made to key institutions such as the Ministry of the Environment and Forestry, PSILKH Serpong, BMKG Jakarta, and BRIN Bandung, where technical guidance was provided, and feedback was collected. Discussions revolved around potential institutional arrangements to strengthen EANET implementation in Indonesia, promoting improved coordination and efficiency in environmental monitoring. During the mission, the NC representatives also met with the ASEAN Secretariat to discuss possible collaboration opportunities.

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Pictures from the technical missions in Cambodia, Mongolia, and Lao PDR (Indonesia: see cover image above).
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Strengthening Monitoring Infrastructures in Lao PDR

In Lao PDR, the technical mission took place in Vientiane, from the 11th to 15th December 2023. A visit was made to the Natural Resources and Environment Research Institute (NRERI), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE). It included a comprehensive assessment of monitoring infrastructures and procedures. Maintenance work was undertaken on monitoring equipment, including the Wet-Only sampler and Filter Pack, to ensure precise data collection. Technical guidance was shared on inspection procedures and analytical methodologies, particularly focusing on ion chromatography. Additionally, knowledge exchange through meetings and discussions on EANET activities facilitated enhanced collaboration among stakeholders.

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Sustaining Environmental Monitoring Efforts in Cambodia

The mission in Cambodia took place in Phnom Penh, from the 8th to the 12th of January 2024. It focused on sustaining continuous monitoring efforts for various pollutants. A visit was made to the Ministry of Environment, Cambodia, to provide maintenance and calibration of the ozone monitor, which was installed in 2019 through the IBAQ Programme, alongside training sessions to ensure effective ozone data reporting. Technical assistance was extended for repairing sampling systems and optimizing ion chromatography procedures, thereby strengthening the country’s capacity for environmental monitoring.

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The NC for the EANET’s technical missions across Mongolia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Cambodia have aimed at enhancing environmental monitoring capabilities and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. By providing specialized technical expertise and facilitating knowledge exchange, these missions significantly contribute to assisting Participating Countries’ efforts to provide high-quality air quality monitoring data and improve technical capabilities in the Region. The NC will conduct more technical missions in 2024 to support other EANET Participating Countries.

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Find out more about the EANET monitoring sites and download EANET data.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

Regional Action for Cleaner Air: ASEAN Policymakers and Experts Gather in Vientiane

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

April 28–29, 2025 – Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Policymakers, experts, and development partners from across Southeast Asia gathered in Vientiane for a two-day Inter-ministerial Workshop to enhance regional cooperation on air pollution under the Clean Air for Sustainable ASEAN (CASA) Initiative. The event also served as EANET’s National Awareness Workshop for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

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Lao PDR’s Ongoing Commitment to EANET

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic joined the EANET in 2002, shortly after the EANET’s inception as a formal intergovernmental initiative in January 2001. With its inclusion, EANET expanded to 13 Participating Countries, enabling Lao PDR to conduct harmonized acid deposition and atmospheric monitoring through the establishment of its first monitoring station in Vientiane and contribute its data as part of the EANET network. In May 2023, Vientiane hosted a national stakeholder workshop to celebrate two decades of EANET, raise awareness among Lao government agencies and NGOs, and discuss capacity-building in areas like QA/QC, ambient data analysis, and haze management. Recently, Lao PDR also participated in the EANET’s technical training activities including through support from the Network Center experts at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) on wet-sampler maintenance, ion-chromatography guidance, and PM2.5 monitoring during technical missions in December 2023. The Inter-ministerial Workshop to Address Air Pollution allowed EANET to better understand the challenges faced by Lao PDR on air pollution and to strengthen relations between EANET and Lao PDR.

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The Inter-ministerial Workshop to Address Air Pollution Through Regional Cooperation

Organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) with support from the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund, the workshop brought together representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Lao Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, and of Agriculture and Forestry, the ASEAN Secretariat, the Secretariat for the EANET, and key United Nations representatives including from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Over 50 participants joined both in person and online.

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Knowledge Exchange and Technology in Air Quality Management

The workshop focused on knowledge exchange on best practices in air quality monitoring, policy development, and the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

It began with introductory presentations by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Natural Resources and Environment Research Institute) and by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Department of Agriculture Extension and Cooperative) of Lao PDR and continued with country presentations from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand on their progress and challenges in tackling air pollution. This was followed by interventions by United Nations representatives and regional partners including presentations by ESCAP, EANET Secretariat, and UNICEF. Session 5, entitled “Good Practices of How to Use Digital Technology for Air Pollution,” included presentations by the Korea Environmental Professional Engineers Association (KEPEA), the Center for Earth System Modeling and Prediction (CEMC) from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), and the College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman. A roundtable discussion then explored how to enhance regional cooperation and align local and central actions for cleaner air.

On the second day, participants visited a CASA-supported Air Quality Monitoring Station in Vientiane to see real-time air quality data systems in action.

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Priorities for Action: Data and Public Engagement

Through presentations, roundtable discussions, and the site visit, participants explored practical tools to address the region’s growing air pollution challenges. Two core priorities emerged from the discussions: enhancing technical capacity to leverage digital tools for synthesizing air quality data, and building communication strategies to improve the public access to information and raise awareness on air pollution issues.

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These insights will inform future CASA activities and ESCAP programming, as well as the EANET discussions for the preparation of the draft Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030) on the EANET.

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Access more information and the workshop’s presentations.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to ESCAP.

EANET National Stakeholder Awareness Workshop in Lao PDR – Join us on 28 April!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine
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1. Background and Objectives:

EANET was established in 2001 as an intergovernmental initiative focusing on creating a common understanding of the state of acid deposition problems in East Asia, providing useful inputs for decision-making at various levels, and promoting cooperation among 13 Participating Countries (PCs) countries in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, including Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In 2021, EANET expanded its scope to cover broader air pollution issues and established a Project Fund mechanism to promote cooperation with other organizations outside of EANET.

EANET’s activities are guided by its five-year Medium-Term Plans and a Work Programme and Budget approved by the Participating Countries every year. In 2025, the Secretariat for the EANET is organizing national stakeholder awareness workshops to promote EANET, better understand specific country needs, support the implementation of projects, and develop more projects and activities to support the Participating Countries’ efforts to address acid deposition and air pollution.

The EANET National Stakeholder Awareness Workshop in Lao PDR will be held in Vientiane, Lao PDR on 28 April 2025 in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) of Lao PDR, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific as part of the hybrid Inter-Ministerial Workshop for Promoting Capacity Building to Address Air Pollution through Regional Cooperation, held on 28-29 April 2025.

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2. Format:

The meeting will be held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, and online.

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3. Provisional Agenda and Draft Concept Note (as of 9 April):

Download the Draft Concept Note

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Contact the Secretariat for the EANET for more information.

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

30 November 2023 – Hanoi, Viet Nam

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) (IG25) took place from 29 to 30 November 2023, in Hanoi, Viet Nam and online. Over 70 representatives from the EANET Participating Countries, UNEP and ACAP, the Secretariat and Network Center for the EANET, participated in the discussions related to the network’s 2024 activities and to address air quality issues in the region.

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Regional Cooperation Fighting Acid Deposition and Air Pollution

Hosted and chaired by Viet Nam, the IG25 started with the Welcome Remarks by His Excellency Mr. Le Cong Thanh, Vice Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), followed by opening Remarks by Ms. Marlene Nielsson, Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, UNEP, and by Dr. Hatakeyama, Director General, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP).

His Excellency Mr. Le Cong Thanh delivering the Opening Remarks.

His Excellency Mr. Le Cong Thanh emphasized the significant challenges of air pollution and acid deposition in Viet Nam and globally. He highlighted the efforts of MONRE in developing legal frameworks and a nationwide monitoring network and expressed appreciation for the EANET’s contributions over the past twenty years. Ms. Nilsson underscored the significance of multilateralism in tackling environmental challenges, particularly acid deposition and air pollution, highlighting EANET’s expanded role in policy actions and capacity building for improved air quality. Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama highlighted the successful outcomes of the expansion of scope and the Project Fund adopted two years ago, specifically citing the Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN) project’s positive results with Low-Cost Sensors (LCS).

The IG25 Session was chaired by Viet Nam, vice-chaired by Lao PDR and Cambodia, and Thailand was elected Rapporteur.

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Over US$600,000 allocated to Building Government Capacity and Addressing Air Quality Management Issues in the Region

In addition to the Core Budget of the EANET to support its activities focused on monitoring, and supporting its meetings, the IG25 approved eleven EANET Projects in 2024 primarily focusing on capacity building for government officials but also concerning key air quality management-related issues such as on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), low-cost sensors (LCS), emissions inventories, and source apportionment projects in the region.

The EANET Projects for 2024 received funding through the EANET Project Fund, EANET’s financial mechanism allowing collaboration with implementation partners and co-financing from outside the EANET Network.

The total funding for Project Activities in 2024 is $605,000, including funding from the EANET Secretariat and NC funds, additional financial support from Japan (MOEJ), and from the Republic of Korea (NIER).

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Ways forward

In addition to these key decisions, the IG25 also approved several important documents, such as the Work Program and Budget of the EANET in 2024, including the organization of key meetings in 2024 such as the Working Group Meeting in 2024 (WG2024), the 24th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC24) and the 26th Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET (IG26), and the process to finalize the revision of the EANET’s Administrative and Financial Guidelines and of the EANET Project Fund and Project Guideline.

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Read the Report of IG25 and discover the meeting’s pictures on Flickr.

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Photos credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

National Stakeholders’ Awareness Workshop in Lao PDR on EANET in 2023

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

3 May 2023 – Vientiane, Lao PDR

The National Stakeholder Awareness Workshop in Lao PDR on EANET: Promoting acid deposition and air quality management in East Asia was held in Vientiane, on 2 May 2023, in cooperation with the Natural Resource and Environment Research Institute (NRERI), Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MoNRE), Lao PDR. It aimed at showcasing the achievements and activities of the EANET over the last 20 years and encouraging cooperation between EANET and Lao stakeholders in the implementation of the EANET’s expanded scope and Project Fund activities. The Workshop was held at the NRERI, and gathered about 45 participants from government agencies, academic institutions, and NGOs. It was co-chaired by Mr. Lonkham Atsanavong, Director General of the NRERI, MoNRE, and Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET.

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Strengthening Acid Deposition and Air Quality Management in Lao PDR

The National Stakeholder Awareness Workshop in Lao PDR on EANET was inaugurated by the Opening Remarks of Mr. Lonkham Atsanavong and the introduction to the Workshop’s objectives by Mr. Bert Fabian. These were followed by presentations by Dr. Keiichi Sato, Head of Atmospheric Research Department, Asian Center for Air Pollution (ACAP), Network Center of the EANET; Mr. Vanhna Phanphongsa, Deputy Director, Environmental Laboratory, MoNRE, Lao PDR; and Ms. Bounmany Soulideth, Deputy Head of Division, MoNRE, Lao PDR and current Head of the ASEAN Technical Working Group on Transboundary Haze Pollution.

Dr. Keiichi Sato presented the overall progress of air quality monitoring activities in the EANET region over the past two decades, specifically focusing on the dissemination of monitoring data, capacity building, and regional cooperation, within the framework of the EANET. Mr. Vanha and Ms. Bounmany presented the status of acid deposition monitoring and air quality management in Lao PDR as well as the transboundary haze pollution and general air quality issues in Lao PDR.

In his presentation, Mr. Vanha highlighted interest in Laos for future collaboration on capacity building activities, specifically related to supporting maintenance, Ion Chromatography (IC) instrument & air quality monitoring stations QA/QC, training on PM2.5/ PM10 monitoring, ambient air quality monitoring, atmospheric data analysis, ambient air data mapping, emission inventory tools, and air quality modeling.

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National Stakeholders’ Awareness Workshop in Lao PDR on EANET in-person participants

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Air Quality Management Collaborative Efforts and Awareness Initiatives in Lao PDR

The objective of the panel discussion on Strengthening Acid Deposition and Air Quality Management in Lao PDR was to offer a forum to share information on air quality management and haze pollution. Representatives from government agencies  NGOs, and other development institutions participated actively in the panel discussion and shared their thoughts on the air pollution issues in the country.

The alarming increase in the heat index in Lao PDR and in the region in April 2023, combined with wildfires and high air pollution, has led to a collective agreement to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of air pollution. The government of Laos is taking various measures to address air pollution and raise public awareness about its impacts, including conducting public awareness activities led by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment and collaborating with relevant sectors to prevent air pollution from the agricultural sector. The National University of Laos (NUOL) has also introduced a supplementary curriculum on air pollution and air quality control.

The collaboration between the government and local communities was emphasized, involving engagement with local authorities and residents in educational programs. In the agricultural sector, the cassava farming practice is becoming a significant concern, leading to nutrient degradation in the soil and farmers resorting to clearing more land. Facing this issue, support is being provided to community-managed areas for sustainable crop preparation, discouraging the shifting of cultivation sites and promoting the use of plant residues to reduce burning.

Local government entities are also encouraged to collaborate with research institutes and other sectors to manage and prevent air pollution. The World Bank, in partnership with the NRERI, is developing an environmental and waste management project, aiming to enhance communication and access to educational resources through the development of online platforms including a mobile application, for public air quality monitoring.

The National Awareness Workshop participants highlighted the status of air quality monitoring stations, identified major sources of air pollution, and emphasized the importance of capacity building and international cooperation in addressing the transboundary haze issue. While efforts are made to improve the air quality assessment, these need to be further strengthened. Collaboration among various local and international stakeholders is key to addressing the air quality issue in Lao PDR.

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Interested in participating in an EANET Project? Find out more on the EANET Project Fund.

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Useful resources:

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Photo credits: featured image: the scenery of southern Laos by Joule Benjarat, 2020, free of rights; all other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.