On 1 September 2026, the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) conducted a courtesy visit to and policy dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The ASEAN Secretariat was represented by Dr. Vong Sok, Head of the Environment Division, Ms. Mardiah Hayati, Senior Officer of the Environment Division, and Ms. Kyra Bestari Wicaksono, Officer of the Environment Division. Representatives from ACAP included Director General Toshimasa Ohara, Deputy Director General Siwaporn Rungsiyanon, Deputy Director General Toru Hayashi, and Department Head Meihua Zhu. Ms. Yujeong Kim, Senior Programme Management Officer of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Asia Pacific Office and Ad Interim Coordinator of the Secretariat for the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET), and Dr. Hiroaki Tomoi, Section Chief, Office of International Cooperation, Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan, also participated.
During the meeting, ACAP introduced an overview of the activities of ACAP and its role as the Network Center for the EANET, and exchanged views with the ASEAN Secretariat on regional cooperation related to air pollution management, responses to climate change, and sustainable development. The participants also discussed ASEAN’s environmental priorities and explored opportunities for future collaboration.
The meeting also included an introduction to the environmental expertise and international cooperation activities of the Japan Environmental Sanitation Center (JESC), followed by discussions on potential cooperation in areas such as waste management and environmental sustainability.
ACAP will continue to promote international cooperation toward improving air quality and realizing a sustainable society in East Asia through strengthened collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and other relevant organizations.