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2026.06.05 Events

Strategic Dialogue on Advancing Future Cooperation on Environmental Challenges in Southeast Asia Held in Kawasaki

On May 27 and 28, 2026, the Japan Environmental Sanitation Center (JESC) and the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research （ACAP） organized a “Strategic Dialogue on Advancing Future Cooperation on Environmental Challenges in Southeast Asia” in Kawasaki City, Japan.

The dialogue brought together key partner organizations from Japan and abroad for wide-ranging discussions with the aim of building future cooperation in regional environmental fields such as air pollution control and waste management. Through these exchanges, participants deepened mutual understanding across institutions and identified forward-looking, concrete areas for cooperation. Building on this dialogue, the organizers will further pursue the development of joint projects with participating organizations. In addition, the establishment of an information platform on the JESC and ACAP websites is being considered to facilitate continuous information sharing.

 

 

1. Background and Objectives

In Southeast Asia, increasingly complex environmental challenges—such as transboundary air pollution, short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), and waste management—require integrated, multi-stakeholder approaches.
This dialogue was organized to mark the 25th anniversary of the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET). Its objective was to strengthen collaboration among relevant institutions, promote the development of future joint programs in the areas of air quality, waste, and wastewater management, and clarify pathways toward sustainable urban and environmental development.

2. Participating Organizations

A total of 45 experts and stakeholders (including 12 online participants) from international organizations, government agencies, and research institutions participated in the dialogue.
Major participating organizations included:

3. Program Overview

■May 27 (Wed): Strategic Dialogue and MOU Signing Ceremony (Hybrid Format at the Station Conference Kawasaki and Online)

The Strategic Dialogue was started with opening remarks by Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of ACAP. It was a great honor to receive remarks from Ms. Keiko Omori, Director-General of the Environmental Management Bureau, MOEJ. This was followed by welcome remarks and a keynote speech addressed by Mr. Hideki Minamikawa, President of JESC (title: Environmental Protection, Economic Activity, and Community Stability).
Subsequently, participants shared the strategic priorities of their respective organizations. In the afternoon, discussions expanded to include air quality management and environmental governance, particularly in response to needs in the Mekong region, as well as waste management, wastewater management, and integrated environmental management. The day concluded with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between AIT and ACAP.

 

 

■May 28 (Thu): Site Visits

Participants visited the Kawasaki Environment Research Institute and Shimadzu Tokyo Innovation Plaza, gaining insights into Japan’s advanced environmental technologies and research frameworks.

 

 

4. Materials

For an overview of the dialogue, please refer to the Concept Note.

Presentation materials from each organization are available below:

■ Keynote Speech

・Mr. Hideki Minamikawa （President of JESC）
Title:  Environmental protection, economic activity, and community stability

■ Institutional Introductions (Presentation order)

・Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ)　 (Speaker: Mr. Satoshi Watanabe, Director for International Cooperation, Environmental Management Bureau)
・United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)　(Speaker： Ms. Yujeong Kim, Senior Programme Management Officer, UNEP Asia Pacific Office)
・United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)　(Speaker: Dr. Amornwan Resanond, Project Manager, SDG Localisation)
・Asian Development Bank (ADB)　(Speaker: Ms. Phantipha Wannaphahoon, Project Analyst)
・Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)　(Speaker: Mr. Alvaro Zurita, Project Director)
・GIZ SDC Southeast Asia Climate and　Clean Air Initiative (SEACAI)　(Speaker: Mr. Ekachai Lojanaphiwat, Project Advisor)
・Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)　(Speaker： Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Dean, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering)
・Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)　(Speaker: Dr. Hiroaki Takiguchi, Senior Advisor, Global Environment Department)
・Japan Environmental Sanitation Center (JESC) (Speakers: Mr. Katsuyoshi Sudo, Head of International Cooperation & Business Department, Ms. Kana Nakamura, International Cooperation & Business Department, Dr. Satomi Ban, Environmental Science Department, and Mr. Shuichi Nagaoka, West Branch Office)
・Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP)　(Speaker: Dr. Meihua Zhu)
・City of Yokohama　(Speaker: Mr. Shogo Nakajima, Manager for Global Initiatives Division）

■ Discussion １： Air Quality and Environmental Governance

・Establishment of Integrated Early Warning System in Sub-Mekong Region　(Dr. Meihua Zhu, ACAP)
・LCS Monitoring for Understanding Urban and Regional Air Pollution (Dr. Akie Yuba, ACAP)

■ Discussion ２： Waste Management, Wastewater Treatment, and Integrated Environmental Management

・Socio-economic condition of Chiang Rai and emerging challenges (Dr. Nion Sirimongkonlertkul, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Thailand)
・Mitigating Urban Methane Emissions: Strategies and Actions in Asia and the Pacific (Dr. Amornwan Resanond, Project Manager, SDG Localisation, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP))
・Air Quality & Waste Management: More Connected Than You Think　(Dr. Meihua Zhu, ACAP)