Tag: MTP

EANET Adopts New Five-Year Plan at the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental Meeting in Bangkok

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

17 December 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Twenty-seventh Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27) on the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 27 to 28 November 2025, in the margins of the 2025 Clean Air Week. Representatives from the 13 Participating Countries of the EANET joined the hybrid Intergovernmental Meeting, in person and online. About 70 participants from the EANET countries, Secretariat and Network Center for the EANET, UNEP, and observers, engaged in key discussions focusing mainly on the future activities of the Network, including on the adoption of the new Medium-Term Plan for the EANET (2026-2030).

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Strengthened Regional Cooperation to Address Air Pollution

Hosted and chaired by the Kingdom of Thailand, the IG27 started with Welcome Remarks by Mr. Chirapong Kuhakanchana, Deputy Director General, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand. In his remarks, Mr. Chirapong underscored Thailand’s recent air quality improvements and strong national actions and reaffirmed the country’s full support for strengthened regional collaboration through the EANET.

Dr. Dechen Tsering, Regional Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Regional Office Asia Pacific (ROAP), delivered the Opening Remarks. In her remarks, she emphasized the region’s persistent air pollution challenges and recognized EANET’s progress over 25 years. Dr. Tsering underscored the urgency of stronger regional cooperation and upcoming transitions, including EANET’s new Medium-Term Plan and broader UN reforms.

Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), delivered the Introductory Remarks, and highlighted East Asia’s air pollution challenges. He emphasized EANET’s crucial role and emerging priorities and underscored the importance of the IG27 in adopting the Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030) and the 2026 Work Programme and Budget.

Left to right, Dr. Dechen Tsering, Mr. Chirapong Kuhakanchana, Dr. Toshimasa Ohara

The session elected Thailand as the Chairperson, Lao PDR and Viet Nam as Vice-Chairpersons, and Japan as the Rapporteur. The Bureau of the IG27 will remain in office until the next Intergovernmental Meeting, to be held in Niigata, Japan, in November 2026.

From right to left – Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Dr. Le Ngoc Cau, Ms. Siwaporn Rungsiyanon, Ms. Yujeong Kim

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EANET’s Future Direction and Strategy

In addition to adopting several important documents, such as the 2024 Progress and Financial Reports, and Work Program and Budget in 2026, the IG27 also endorsed the 2024 Data Report and the Report on the Inter-laboratory Comparison Projects, the Guidelines for Establishing Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network, and the Technical Manual for Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors, which had been approved by the Twenty-fifth Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC25) on the EANET held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, from 20 to 22 October 2025.

Furthermore, in a key decision, the IG27 approved the EANET’s new Medium-Term Plan (MTP) (2026–2030), which concluded discussions from a series of consultations and meetings in 2024 and 2025.

The MTP (2026-2030) aims to define the strategic outcomes and priority actions for EANET’s work programme for the next five years in line with the EANET Instrument and its Annex. The fifth MTP (2026-2030) is the first MTP that substantially addresses EANET’s expanded scope with wider atmospheric environment pollutants which was adopted in 2021 at IG23.

Participants at the IG27 meeting
Additional US$380,000 Allocated for Air Quality Projects in 2026

In addition to the Core Budget of the EANET for its ongoing activities focused mainly on monitoring, and supporting its meetings and awareness activities, the IG27 approved eleven EANET Projects under the EANET Project Fund.

The proposed projects cover a comprehensive set of technical and capacity-building priorities, including the collection of long-term atmospheric nitrogen data, advanced PM2.5 source identification, and broader integrated monitoring efforts that also strengthen understanding and capacities of ozone and VOC pollution across the region. They further support improved use of satellite observations, and stronger national skills in emissions monitoring, financing strategies, and project planning. In parallel, the portfolio promotes regional leadership through fellowships, international trainings for government officials, and targeted workshops on sustainable agricultural practices and air quality legislation—providing EANET countries with practical tools to better manage air pollution in East and Southeast Asia.

A total of over US$387,000 was pledged through the EANET Project Fund, including financial and in-kind support from China (Fudan University), Japan (MOEJ), Thailand (Pollution Control Department, and the Thailand Environment Institute), the Republic of Korea (NIER), and UNEP.

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Read the MTP (2026-2030) and the Report of IG27.

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View the IG27 photos.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET Working Group 2024: Reviewing Achievements and Planning Activities for Better Air Quality in Northeast and Southeast Asia

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

28 August 2024 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Working Group Meeting on the EANET held its 2024 session virtually on 20-21 August, focusing on reviewing the progress of activities in 2023 and 2024, preparing the next Medium-Term Plan (MTP) for EANET (2026-2030), and considering new projects for 2024. The session brought together over 50 representatives from the Participating Countries to assess achievements, discuss strategic directions, and plan future projects and activities.

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Progress Report of Activities Conducted in 2023 and 2024

The Working Group began by reviewing the significant achievements in the last quarter of 2023 and the first half of 2024, highlighting key activities.

The Secretariat and Network Center for the EANET presented Draft Reports on EANET Core Activities and Projects for 2023 and 2024. The Secretariat outlined activities including organizing the 23rd Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC23), the 25th Intergovernmental Meeting (IG25), and the Informal Meeting on the Initial Preparation of the Draft Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030) (IM2024). Highlights included the EANET Regional Awareness Workshop and National Awareness Workshops in China and Cambodia, as well as updates to the EANET website and communications.

The Network Center reported on its activities, such as preparing National Monitoring Plans, the EANET Data Report, technical manuals, and QA/QC activities. EANET Project Activities for 2024 covered studies on atmospheric deposition, VOCs capacity building, Low-Cost Sensors, PM2.5 source apportionment, and various meetings and webinars on air quality and nitrogen management. The Secretariat also reported on a project assessing emissions inventories and source apportionment in Southeast Asia.

Some participants at the virtual WG2024 meeting

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Preparation of the Next Medium-Term Plan (MTP) for the EANET (2026-2030)

A major focus of the session was the development of the next MTP, setting the strategic direction for 2026-2030.

The Secretariat presented the Draft Annotated Outline for the Medium-Term Plan (MTP) for EANET (2026-2030) and the Draft Partnership and Resource Mobilization Strategy. An overview of the proposed content for each section of the outline was provided and the steps for drafting the MTP were discussed. The session invited comments and suggestions for improvement.

Key points of the discussion included the need to address emerging challenges in air quality management. Recommendations were made for better data utilization in policymaking, incorporating cost-benefit analyses and considering the key results from the Draft Partnership and Resource Mobilization Strategy. The Secretariat will integrate feedback from the WG2024 and refine the outline which will be submitted for review by the SAC24 in October in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and for consideration at the IG26 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in November 2024.

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Proposed Projects for 2024

A total of 11 Project Plans were presented to the Session.

The Network Center and the Secretariat explained the proposed projects including studies on atmospheric deposition effects, VOC capacity building, and feasibility studies for new monitoring technologies. Other projects focused on analyzing precipitation and particulate matter, webinars for emission inventories, and strengthening nitrogen cycle management. supporting emission inventory development in Southeast Asia and improving regional capacity building for air quality monitoring and assessment.

In the discussion, various representatives highlighted key points: the need for enhanced capacity building alongside pollution control, the value of satellite monitoring, support for field studies and VOC projects, and the importance of linking project activities to the upcoming Medium-Term Plan (MTP). There were also suggestions to prioritize capacity-building activities, as well as to include additional meteorological factors in projects related to particulate matter.

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Closing Session

The 2024 session of the EANET Working Group highlighted significant progress in 2023, set the stage for the next MTP, and laid out new initiatives for 2024.

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Further discussions on the proposed Project Plans, among other important agenda items, will be held during the Twenty-fourth Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC24) meeting on the EANET to be organized from 29 to 31 October 2024, in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

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Read the Report of the Session.

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Find out more about EANET’s Project Fund and Project Activities.

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Photo credits: Photo of Bangkok, Benchakitti forest park by Andre Bestman (2023); all other photos, all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET Working Group Advances Medium-Term Plan Development and Project Proposals for 2026

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

14 August 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Working Group Meeting in 2025 (WG2025) on the EANET brought together over 60 participants virtually, including representatives from the 13 Participating Countries, UNEP, ACAP, the Secretariat and the Network Center for the EANET, and participants from other organizations presenting proposals for cooperation with EANET in 2026. The meeting mainly focused on the future direction of the network including on the review of the Second Draft Medium-Term Plan (MTP) (2026–2030) and proposed Project Activities for 2026.

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Opening Remarks

Dr. Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, highlighted the urgent need for stronger regional cooperation on air pollution, noting its growing recognition at global forums. He stressed that the new MTP will guide EANET’s future work and strengthen its role in regional and international initiatives.

Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), pointed out East Asia’s serious challenges with pollutants such as ozone and PM2.5. He underlined EANET’s valuable two decades of monitoring and called for the new MTP to also address wider issues such as climate change and nitrogen management.

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Shaping the Next Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030)

A central focus of the meeting was the consultation on the Second Draft Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030). Participating Countries welcomed the revisions made following the June 2025 Working Group Meeting on the First Draft of the MTP (2026-2030), noting significant improvements.

Countries highlighted the importance of leveraging new technologies while stressing the need for resource mobilization strategies to support the next MTP. The draft will undergo further written consultations until September, with the final version to be considered at the upcoming Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27) in November 2025.

Screenshot of some participants during the WG2025 virtual meeting

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New Project Activities Proposed for 2026

The meeting also reviewed nine draft Project Plans and two Concept Notes for 2026. These proposals cover diverse themes, including:

Proposed Project Plans (EPPs)

  1. EPP 2026-01: Accumulation of atmospheric nitrogen deposition data for sustainable nitrogen management in existing EANET monitoring sites
  2. EPP 2026-02: Fellowship for building leadership in Atmospheric Environment and Air Quality Management in East Asia
  3. EPP 2026-03: Collaboration of Technical and Training (TNT) and capacity building program for personnel of the Participating Countries on monitoring
  4. EPP 2026-04: Webinar for understanding of influences by changing climate on air quality over East Asia
  5. EPP 2026-05: Capacity building webinar workshop on application of satellite observation for atmospheric environmental management
  6. EPP 2026-06: Methodological Study on PM2.5 Source Identification and Capacity Enhancement in EANET with Emphasis on Southeast Asia
  7. EPP 2026-07: Strengthening EANET Capacity in Financing Strategies for Project Planning and Advanced Methods for Monitoring of Air Pollution and Emissions
  8. EPP 2026-08: Driving Action through Data: Development of the EANET Data Dashboard
  9. EPP 2026-09: Enhancing Regional Understanding of Black Carbon Pollution through Integrated Monitoring Across EANET Countries

Proposed Project Concept Notes (PCNs)

  1. PCN 2026-01: Knowledge exchange and capacity strengthening on sustainable agricultural practices for clean air in Mekong region
  2. PCN 2026-02: Strengthening capacity on air quality legislation: Capacity building workshop on Law and Air Quality for EANET

Countries emphasized the need to prioritize projects within the scope of the EANET (based on its Annex to EANET Instrument) and encouraged expanding capacity-building initiatives.

All Project Plans and Concept Notes, with modifications when relevant, will be further considered at the upcoming Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting (SAC25) on the EANET held on 20-22 October in Vientiane, Lao PDR, before being submitted for final consideration and approval at the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental meeting on the EANET (IG27) in November 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Next Steps

EANET representatives will meet again in September during the Twenty-sixth Senior Technical Manager’s Meeting (STM26) in Manila, Philippines, followed by the SAC25 and IG27. The IG27 will review the Final Draft of the Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030) supporting EANET’s strengthened role in tackling air pollution and advancing regional cooperation in East Asia.

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Read the Meeting Report.

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Photo credits: green trees under white clouds (2020) by Boudewijn Huysmans; all other images: all rights reserved to EANET.

The Working Group Meeting on the First Draft of the MTP (2026-2030)

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

23 June 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

EANET held its Working Group Meeting (WG-MTP2025) virtually to discuss the First Draft of its Medium-Term Plan (MTP) for (2026–2030) on 10 and 11 June 2025, gathering over 50 representatives from the EANET 13 Participating Countries, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat and the Network Center for the EANET.

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Opening Remarks

In his opening remarks, Dr. Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action, United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the significance of the Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030) for guiding EANET’s future activities, promoting regional cooperation on air pollution, and encouraging active participation to enhance air quality and partnerships across Asia. He noted its alignment with international frameworks such as the UNEA-6 resolution on Promoting regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality globally. Prof. Meng Fan Deputy Director General, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), highlighted EANET’s key role in regional air pollution monitoring since 2001, emphasized the importance of its expanded scope to address broader environmental challenges, and called for continued cooperation, technological innovation, and integration of science into policy to strengthen its impact.

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Key Discussions

The meeting’s discussions focused on the three proposed outcomes of the First Draft MTP: (1) improved understanding of air pollution and atmospheric deposition, (2) better access to evidence-based policy information, and (3) enhanced regional cooperation. Countries acknowledged the improved quality of the draft since the Consultation Meeting on the Zero Draft of the MTP (2026-2030) held in April 2025, and offered suggestions for further clarification and streamlining.

Among other topics, participants discussed how new technologies could support existing ground monitoring. The scope of activities was reviewed to ensure consistency with the EANET Instrument and its Annex and the allocated budget considered. The need for clear definitions was emphasized, with agreement that further consultations during the Working Group Meeting in 2025 (WG2025) on August 7-8 would refine these areas.

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Screenshot of some participants at the WG-MTP2025 online meeting on 10 June 2025

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Path Forward to the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET

The Secretariat outlined the timeline for finalizing the MTP, including a follow-up consutation during the Working Group meeting in 2025 (WG2025) on 7 and 8 August 2025, and submission to the Twenty-fifth Scientific Advisory Committee meeting (SAC25) in October, and for consideration and possible adoption at the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27) on the EANET in November 2025.

The IG27 will be hosted by Thailand on 27-28 November, and will be held in Bangkok during the same week as UNEP’s Clean Air Week from 24 to 28 November 2025, further highlighting regional efforts to improve air quality.

As EANET moves toward its next five-year phase, the meeting reaffirmed the Network’s crucial role in driving cooperation, scientific exchange, and informed policy action across East Asia.

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Read the Meeting Report.

 

Photo credits: flamboyant blossom bloom red by Rakib Hosain (2020); all other photos: all rights reserved to the EANET.

The Consultation Meeting on the Zero Draft of the Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030) for the EANET

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

28 April 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Consultation Meeting on the Zero Draft of the Medium-Term Plan (MTP) (2026–2030) for the EANET took place virtually on 24–25 April 2025. The development of EANET’s next Medium-Term Plan for 2026-2030 is an important milestone and provides an opportunity to make EANET even more impactful and relevant in the region. The next five years of EANET’s work will also lead towards the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over 70 representatives from the Participating Countries, the Secretariat for the EANET hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and from the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) serving as the Network Center (NC) for the EANET, joined to discuss and review the Zero Draft of the MTP and provide strategic input.

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Opening Remarks

Dr. Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action, UNEP, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, opened the session by highlighting EANET’s progress in tackling acid deposition and air pollution, including its 2021 scope expansion to cover other atmospheric substances. He emphasized the network’s growing regional and global recognition, particularly through recent UN resolutions, and encouraged feedback on the Zero Draft Medium-Term Plan, reaffirming UNEP’s ongoing support.

Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), followed with remarks stressing the complexity of managing PM2.5 and ozone pollution, which varies by country and requires knowledge-sharing and multilateral cooperation. He pointed to rising pollutant concentrations as evidence that national efforts alone are insufficient and welcomed the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s work on Short-Lived Climate Forcers. He underlined the importance of co-benefits, nitrogen management, and strategic planning for EANET’s future, expressing optimism for meaningful discussions ahead.

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Key Discussions
Screenshot from some participants at the CM-MTP2025 meeting

 

The Secretariat and Network Center for the EANET presented the Zero Draft Medium-Term Plan, outlining proposed scientific, technical, and intergovernmental activities.

Key discussions focused on the Draft’s conceptual framework, existing Core and new activities, potential Project Activities, and indicative budgets. Participants, including EANET National Focal Points and Scientific Advisory Committee members, provided feedback and guidance to support the development of the First Draft MTP to be presented during the next working group meeting in June. They discussed air pollution components to prioritize, in line with the EANET’s defined scope included in the Annex to the Instrument.

They also stressed the importance of strengthening monitoring systems, exploring new and cost-efficient technologies as well as expanding capacity-building initiatives.

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Next Steps

The First Draft of the MTP (2026-2030) will be discussed at The Working Group Meeting on the Draft of the MTP (2026-2030) (WG-MTP2025), to be organized online on 10-11 June 2025. The final draft of the EANET MTP (2026-2030) will be deliberated for adoption at the 27th Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27) in November 2025.

The meeting concluded with a shared appreciation for the participants’ contributions and reaffirmed commitment to improving air quality in East Asia through collaborative action.

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Read the Report of the Session (available soon)

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Photo credits: Alocasia, aka Elephant’s Ear by Dawn McDonald (2021), all other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.

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

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

11 December 2024 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Twenty-sixth Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG26) on the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 27 to 28 November 2024. All the 13 Participating Countries of the EANET were represented in-person in the Intergovernmental Meeting. Overall, there were about 80 participants from the EANET, engaged in key discussions related to the network’s 2025 activities and to air quality and acid deposition challenges in Northeast and Southeast Asia.

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Regional Cooperation Addressing Acid Deposition and Air Pollution

Hosted and chaired by the government of Malaysia, the IG26 started with Welcome Remarks delivered by Datuk Nor Yahati binti Awang, Deputy Secretary General of Malaysia’s Environmental Sustainability at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES). Opening Remarks followed by Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), and Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET.

Datuk Nor Yahati highlighted Malaysia’s commitment to tackling air pollution through initiatives such as the National Clean Air Action Plan (2025–2040). Dr. Ohara emphasized the expanded scope of EANET activities, and Mr. Fabian underscored the importance of the science-policy interface in EANET’s mission. The session elected Malaysia as Chairperson, Thailand and Mongolia as Vice-Chairpersons, and Japan as Rapporteur.

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Over US$300,000 Allocated for Air Quality Projects in 2025

In addition to the Core Budget of the EANET for its ongoing activities focused mainly on monitoring, and supporting its meetings, the IG26 approved twelve EANET Projects under the EANET Project Fund.

The Projects focus on capacity building, public awareness, monitoring and research activities, applied to various issues such as Nitrogen management, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), innovative monitoring technologies including low-cost sensors and satellite monitoring, and understanding the effects of acid deposition on ecosystems, among others. A total of US$300,000 mainly coming from Japan (MOEJ), and with co-financing from the Republic of Korea (NIER), the Philippines (EMB), and China (Fudan University), was allocated for these initiatives.

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Future Directions and Key Approvals

In addition to these key decisions, the IG25 approved several important documents, such as the Work Program and Budget of the EANET in 2025, including the organization of key meetings in 2025 such as the Working Group Meeting in 2025 (WG2025), the 24th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC25) and the 27th Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET (IG27). The IG26 also approved the process of development of the EANET’s next Medium-Term Plan (2026–2030) which will include several consultations and meetings among Participating Countries in 2025, emphasizing expanded collaboration and innovative approaches to air quality monitoring and policy support.

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Read the Report of IG26

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Photos credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

The Working Group Session 2 Meeting on Drafting MTP (2021-2025) and on Reviewing Scope of Instrument for the EANET

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

26 October 2020 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Working Group (WG) Session 2 Meeting on Drafting Medium Term Plan for the EANET (2021-2025) and on Reviewing Scope of Instrument for the EANET was held virtually from the 20th  to the 22nd  October 2020, gathering over 50 representatives from the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET)’s Participating Countries.

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Shaping the Network’s future in action

Following the Session 1 of the meeting held last July, participants met again online to work together on the Medium Term Plan for the EANET (2021-2025) defining the Network’s future activities for the next 5 years, while also discussing a possible expansion of the scope of the EANET’s Instrument.

For three days, from 20-22 October 2020, National Focal Points and representatives from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, Russia, Thailand, Philippines, and Viet Nam joined the EANET’s Secretariat, Network Center and the United Nations Environment Programme teams to discuss in detail how they envision the future of their Network.

The Session was initiated by the Welcome Remarks of Dr. Dechen Tsering, Regional Director, and Representative, United Nations Environment Programme for Asia & the Pacific, who emphasized the importance of the mandate of the EANET, as part of growing momentum for international cooperation on air quality in the region.

Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, delivered the Opening Remarks and highlighted the importance of the 2nd Working Group Meeting to determine the future activities of the EANET. Mr. Yuichi Nagasaka, Director of the Air Environment Division, Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry of Environment, Japan, also delivered Remarks to greet participants and reaffirm Japan’s support to the EANET.

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MTP for the EANET (2021-2025)

At the end of the 3-day meeting, the Session agreed on Recommendations to be submitted to the 22nd Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting, next November (IG22).

Screenshots from some participants and Network Center and Secretariat Team members, discussing the various Working Group Session 2 Meeting agenda items

In these Recommendations, it is suggested to adopt the final draft of Medium Term Plan (MTP) (2021-2025) as well as the final draft of Work Programme and Budget in 2021 (WP&B 2021) that will be prepared according to the discussion at the Working Group Meeting sessions and relevant follow-up discussions.

In addition, the Working Group recommended the IG22 to recognize that “some activities relating to air pollution are a major interest to Participating Countries but may be beyond the current scope of the EANET. This includes types of activities and/or substances or targets areas that are related to air pollution beyond acid deposition” and to “ Express support for the need to expand the scope of the Instrument.”

EANET National Focal Points will meet again at the IG22, from 25 to 26 November 2020 through an online platform and discuss the finalization of the MTP (2021-2025) and Work Programme and Budget for the EANET in 2021 by considering the Recommendations of the WG Meeting.

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Curious about EANET’s activity? Find out more about the next EANET Meeting dates on the Event’s page and discover the pictures of the Working Group Meetings on Flickr.

 

 

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

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

27 November 2020 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Twenty-second Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG22) on the EANET was held virtually from 25 to 26 November 2020. It was concluded by major decisions on the approval of the Medium Term Plan (MTP) (2021-2025) and Work Programme and Budget in 2021, as well as the decision to start expanding the scope of EANET’s Instrument.

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The Twenty-second Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting

Over 50 representatives from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, Russia, Thailand, Philippines, and Viet Nam participated in the IG22,  to discuss in detail how they envision the future of their Network.

Chaired by Thailand, the IG22 Session started with Welcome Remarks from Mr. Thalearngsak Petchsuwan, Deputy-Director General, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, followed by Opening Remarks by Dr. Dechen Tsering, Regional Director and Representative, United Nations Environment Programme for Asia & the Pacific, and by Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research.

Screenshots from the Welcome and Opening Remarks delivered during the virtual IG22 meeting.
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Medium Term Plan for the EANET (2021-2025)

After almost two years of conducting several discussions among the Participating Countries, the IG22 approved the MTP for the EANET (2021-2025). In addition, the Session approved the Work Programme and Budget for EANET in 2021.

Detailing the actions that will take place during the next five years, the MTP for the EANET (2021-2025) regroups activities related to five key objectives: Objective 1: Monitoring of acid deposition including related chemical substances with quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), Objective 2: Promotion of data utilization and dissemination, Objective 3: Promotion of capacity building, Objective 4: Enhancement of outreach activities and Objective 5: Enhancement of cooperation and collaboration.

Screenshots from some participants discussing during the virtual IG22 meeting.

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Future Activities Beyond Acid Deposition

The IG22 recognized activities related to air pollution as of major interest to Participating Countries, although considered beyond the current scope of the EANET.

For 20 years, based on the Instrument for the Strengthening the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET), the EANET has been working specifically on acid deposition monitoring.

Marking an important milestone for the Network, Participating Countries agreed to start the process of expanding the scope of the Instrument allowing the EANET to work on wider air quality and air pollution issues in the near future.

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Find out more about the IG22 by reading the Report of the Session and discover the pictures of the IG22 Meeting on Flickr.

Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

The EANET Working Group Meetings on Drafting the MTP (2021-2025) and Reviewing the Scope of Instrument

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

WG1 Group Photo 29 June 2020

7 July 2020 – Bangkok, Thailand

From June 29th to July 2nd 2020, National Focal Points or representatives of the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) and other international experts met virtually, simultaneously in 13 countries of East Asia, to discuss the future of the Network and reaffirm their common motivation to fight the adverse effects of acid deposition in the Region.

 

The Working Group Meeting on Drafting Medium Term Plan for the EANET (2021-2025), June 29-30 2020

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, EANET’s Working Group Meeting on Drafting Medium Term Plan for the EANET (2021-2025) took place via a virtual platform (see above a collage of most participants’ webcam). During the two-day meeting, over 50 participants from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, Russia, Thailand, Philippines, and Viet Nam joined the EANET’s Secretariat and Network Center to discuss draft versions of the Medium Term Plan for the EANET (2021-2025).

The Opening Remarks, delivered by Dr Dechen Tsering, Regional Director and Representative, United Nations Environment Programme for Asia & the Pacific, emphasized that the global pandemic “COVID-19” has allowed us to reflect and re-assess our actions toward nature and reminds us of the importance of the health of people and the planet. The Welcome Remarks, delivered by Dr Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, reasserted the importance of the Working Group Meeting to recommend the future direction of the EANET.

During these discussions, gathering mostly government officials from Asian Ministries of the Environment, the EANET considered activities and budget for the next five years. As a conclusion, and given the importance of the task, meeting attendees decided to continue discussions during the Second Session of Working Group Meeting, to be held in October 2020.

 

 

The Working Group Meeting on Reviewing the Scope of Instrument for the EANET, July 1-2 2020

The Working Group Meeting on Reviewing the Scope of Instrument for the EANET also took place via a virtual platform, regrouping a little less than 50 participants, from EANET’s Participating Countries, most of which had also participated in the two previous meeting days.

WG2 Photos 1-2 July 2020
Screenshots from the Working Group Meeting on Reviewing the Scope of Instrument for the EANET, 1-2 July 2020.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the objectives and scope of the EANET’s Instrument and the possibility of expanding this scope further.

In addition to the Environmental government officials, several Resource persons joined the meeting, among which a Legal Expert Resource Person, to explain in details the legal options and consequences of how to expand the current scope of Instrument.

As a conclusion, meeting attendees prepared recommendations to be submitted to the next Intergovernmental (IG) Meeting, to be held in November 2020.

 

Meeting Reports for both Working Group Meetings will soon be available on the Resources webpage.

Curious about EANET’s activity? Find out more about the next EANET Meeting dates on the Event’s page and discover the pictures of the Working Group Meetings on Flickr.

 

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