The National Air Emission Inventory and Research Center (NAIR, Head Sung Ji-won), under the Ministry of Environment, announced that it will hold the ‘2024 International Symposium’ on September 10 at the The Ambassador Seoul - A Pullman Hotel (located in Jung-gu, Seoul) to commemorate the 5th International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (September 7).

This event is being jointly organized by the National Air Emission Inventory and Research Center and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), continuing from last year, with the theme of “Climate Change and Air Quality Management.”

The National Air Emission Inventory and Research Center has strengthened its collaboration with international organizations, having been designated as a technical center* within the Northeast Asia Clean Air Partnership (NEACAP), operated by the UNESCAP, in March of this year.

* Participation in the Science and Technology Policy Committee meeting of the North-East Asia Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (involving six countries: South Korea, Japan, China, Russia, Mongolia, and North Korea) and providing advisory input on the policy reports drafted by the committee (from September 23 to 24, 2024)

Air pollution is a widespread issue that cannot be effectively improved through the efforts of a single country alone. Therefore, it is essential to actively collaborate by sharing information on air quality status, causes of air pollution, and achievements in air quality improvement with neighboring countries.

Considering these circumstances, the event is divided into three sessions: 1) Climate Change and Air Quality Management, 2) Reduction Goals of Air Pollutant Emission Management Policy, and 3) The Impact of Air Quality Management Policies on Climate Change. The first session will explore changes in air quality and management strategies in various countries, including South Korea, the United States, and Thailand, due to climate change.

In the second session, case studies and reduction targets of air quality improvement policies implemented by South Korea, China, France, and other countries will be shared. The third session will broadly address the impacts of climate change responses and air quality improvements on regions or countries, including South Korea, the United States, and Europe.

Anyone can participate in the event, and government officials from 14 countries in the air quality sector, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Iran, are expected to attend.

Following this event, the ‘Clean Air Management Workshop*’ (Clean Air Week, September 9 to 13) will be held at Shilla Stay (located in Mapo-gu, Seoul), with participation from the Ministry of Environment and its affiliated agencies, including the National Institute of Environmental Research and the Korea Environment Corporation.

* This program aims to enhance cooperation among Asia-Pacific countries regarding air pollution by sharing insights on air quality management and effective policy-making methods.

Sung Ji-won, the Head of NAIR, stated, “The regularization of this international symposium was decided at the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of the UNESCAP held in Seoul last November.” She added, “Through cooperation and exchange, we will seek scientific air quality management solutions in the context of ongoing climate change and contribute to the improvement of air quality in the Asia-Pacific region.”

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