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Theme: The Air We Share: Scaling up governance, legislation, and finance action

Event format

The Fourth APCAP Joint Forum will be held from 5 to 7 September 2022 in a hybrid format.

As a hybrid event, the APCAP Joint Forum will be organized as a combination of a live in-person event with virtual online components. It will be organized in a physical venue at the Suwon Convention Center, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea, and can be attended in person or virtually. It is expected that some speakers and participants will travel to Suwon to join in person while other speakers and participants will join online.

Background

Polluted air is creating a health emergency. Air pollution remains one of the world’s largest environmental threats to human health. Almost everyone is now breathing unhealthy air. Asia-Pacific is at the epicenter of this public health crisis with about 4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution. Everyone is affected, but women, children, the elderly, and people living in poverty are bearing the brunt of its impacts. It is infringing on the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

Air pollutants contribute directly to the climate crisis, endangering the health and livelihoods of current and future generations. It takes a heavy toll on the region’s economy – which is still recovering from the pandemic.

Reducing air pollution is integral to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Unfortunately, progress toward reducing urban air pollution has been stagnant since 2015.

There is an urgent need to increase investment in and implement evidence-based policies which support clean energy and industry, sustainable mobility, better municipal waste management, and sustainable agricultural practices. These efforts will reduce air pollution, support climate action, and help achieve other development goals. Strengthened international cooperation and collective action are also critical to turning the tide on air pollution.

Objectives

The Fourth APCAP Joint Forum serves as a regional knowledge exchange and dialogue platform on clean air for the Asia Pacific region to:

  • Inform the state of air quality in the region and recognize progress made to address air pollution at multiple levels and its benefits for the climate.
  • Share and exchange solutions addressing the key emission sectors with a focus on governance, legislation, and finance.
  • Showcase innovative tools for reducing air pollution, including the use of digital tools for air quality monitoring and assessments.
  • Inspire and accelerate action through regional cooperation for clean air.
  • Contribute to the commemoration of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies and supports UNEA Resolution 3/8 on Preventing and Reducing Air Pollution Globally.

Organizers

The event is being hosted by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government in the Republic of Korea.  

Expected Participants

Participants at the APCAP Joint Forum represent air quality stakeholders from the region and beyond. This includes high-level policy and decision-makers from national and local governments, representatives from bilateral and multilateral donors, academics and researchers, civil society organizations, international organizations, regional intergovernmental bodies, youth, media, and the private sector.

Outcome document

The key messages, discussions, and recommendations from the APCAP Joint Forum will be conveyed through a report. It will contribute to the commemoration of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies and be used to develop the next phase of APCAP (after March 2024). It will be shared at regional platforms such as the Asia Pacific Ministerial Forum on the Environment and the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum on Environment and Health, and contribute to the discussion of the regional action programme on air pollution which will be deliberated at the 7th Committee on Environment and Development at ministerial level in November 2022.

For more information, please visit cleanairweek.org or contact apcap@un.org 

This year’s APCAP Joint Forum discussions will focus on:

  • Improving ambient air quality standards and ensuring implementation of existing policies and commitments to reduce air pollution. UNEP’s Environmental Rule of Law report in 2019 found that despite a 38-fold increase in environmental laws put in place since 1972, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations fall short. This was reiterated in UNEP’s global assessment of air quality legislation in 2021 which found that a lack of enforcement capacity as a key reason for the poor implementation of air quality laws. Discussion could also consider how countries will align their efforts with the 2021 updated WHO Air quality guidelines.
  • Strengthening regional cooperation for clean air. Local air quality can be significantly impacted by human and natural activities outside their jurisdiction. The fact that governments cannot control emissions from outside their boundaries presents a governance challenge for air quality mitigation strategies and more effort is needed to establish air pollution control strategies across jurisdictions to reduce the human health impacts of these pollutants. The discussion could cover proposed components of a regional action programme on air pollution, including facilitation of capacity building and technical support for national action, exchange of best practices and outreach, and mobilization of commitment to multilateral cooperation.
  • Facilitating air quality monitoring, open data sharing, and harnessing digital technologies to strengthen data for clean air action. While there have been improvements, air quality data remains a challenge in developing Asia. According to the World Health Organization, over 6,000 cities in 117 now monitor air quality – a 6-fold increase since 2011. But access and availability of air quality data continues to be a challenge for low- and middle-income countries.
  • Supporting investment for clean air. Financing is a critical element in air quality management and will be necessary to shift the needle on air pollution. Unfortunately, less than 1 per cent of the total development and foundation funding is spent for tackling air pollution. Inadequate funding for air quality management is one of the key challenges identified in UNEP Actions on Air Quality Report.

apcap calendar

05 Sep 2022

Time & Place
Event Details
09:00
Session 1. Opening Session Opening Remarks
• Ms. Dechen Tsering, UNEP Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific

Welcome Remarks
• Mr. Dong Yeon Kim, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea

Message on Raising ambition for regional cooperation on clean air
• Mr. Sangmin Nam, Director, Environment and Development Division, UNESCAP

Keynote Speeches
• H.E. Mr. Tuvdendorj Gantumur, Vice Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mongolia
• Mr. Hyunkwon Kim, Director of Gyeonggi Environmental Energy Agency

National Statement
• H.E. Dr. Abdulla Naseer, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Maldives
12:00
Session 2. High Level Plenary: The Air We Share: Beating Air Pollution and Protecting People’s Health: Strengthening regional cooperation and revised WHO air quality guidelines Session Description:
Polluted air is creating a health emergency. Air pollution remains as one of the world’s largest environmental threats to human health. There is an urgent need to increase investment in and implement evidence-based policies which support clean energy and industry, sustainable mobility, better municipal waste management and sustainable agricultural practices. These efforts will reduce air pollution, support climate action, and help achieve other development goals.

Strengthened international cooperation and collective action is also critical to turn the tide on air pollution. At a global level, there is no international legal framework on air quality. But there is growing recognition of the important role of international and regional cooperation to address air pollution. The World Health Organization (WHO)’s air quality guidelines provide the primary evidence-based global guidance on air quality. In 2021, WHO released updated health-based guidelines, tightening the guidelines for air pollutants based on the evidence of health impacts at even lower concentrations than previously known.

This session will provide an overview of the 2021 air quality guidelines by the World Health Organization and what it means for Asia and the Pacific. It will feature practical and effective multisectoral clean air solutions to improve air quality, protect people’s health, contribute to a stable climate, and help achieve the sustainable development agenda. It will build understanding on the importance of collective action to accelerate clean air efforts. It will reflect on the opportunities and identify the elements that should be considered to strengthen regional collaboration efforts to help address air pollution in Asia and the Pacific.

Moderator
Ms. Antoinette Taus, UNEP National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines

Lecture presentation:
• Mr. Ali Akeem, Head, World Health Organization (WHO) Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region
• Mr. Wonho Yang, President of Korean Society of Environmental Health

Panel discussion
• Ms. Martina Otto, Head of Secretariat, Climate and Clean Air Coalition
• Ms. Oyun Sanjaasuren, Director of External Affairs, Green Climate Fund
• Mr. Tappei Tsutsumi, Director, Office of International Cooperation in Air and Water Quality Management, Ministry of Environment, Japan
• Dr. Anas Ma'ruf, MKM, Director of Environmental Health, Directorate General of Prevention and Control Disease, Ministry of Health, Indonesia
• Mr. Frank Hammes, CEO, IQAir
• Mr. Sungchul Seo, Professor, Seokyeong University
13:40
Session 3. APCAP Joint Forum Session: Beating urban air pollution in Asia Pacific Session Description:

Cities are responsible for more than 70 per cent of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Unplanned, and unmanaged urbanization, a rising demand for resources, energy, and motorized transport contribute to biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate crisis. The impacts of environmental challenges are most felt in cities. Air pollution is one of the largest environmental health risks in cities.

This session will highlight governance, technical, and finance solutions by city and provinces to reduce air pollution and protect people’s health. It aims to offer a platform for cities and subnational agencies to share experiences and identify common challenges and opportunities to further strengthen action. The event will also share updates on the ongoing collaboration between UNEP and Republic of Korea’s Capital Metropolitan Region of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi to combat air pollution through evidence-based solutions.

Moderator
Professor Ki Joon Jeon, Inha University

Presentation: Beating air pollution in SIG through evidence-based approaches
• Mr. Chris Malley, Senior Research Fellow, and Ms. Ms. Eleni Michalopoulou, Research Associate, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)

Presentation: Clean Air Catalyst – Experience in Jakarta and Indore
• Mr. Muhammad Shidiq, Air Quality Lead, World Resources Institute

Panel discussion: Clean Air solutions (governance, technical, and finance) to reduce urban air pollution and protect people’s health
• Mr. Dong Young Kim, Senior Researcher, Gyeonggi Research Institute
• Mr. Kyeong Doo Cho, Senior Research Fellow, The Incheon Institute
• Ms. Yoojin Choi, Senior Researcher, Seoul Institute
• Mr. Alberto Kimpo, Assistant City Administrator for Operations, Quezon City Government

06 Sep 2022

Time & Place
Event Details
07:30
Session 4. APCAP Joint Forum Session: APCAP Joint Forum Session: Clean Air for Asia Pacific by strengthening governance and legislation Session Description:
The Asia and the Pacific region is at the epicenter of a public health crisis from air pollution. Fortunately, many countries have taken steps to reduce air pollution. Based on UNEP’s Actions on Air Quality: A Global Summary of Policies and Programmes to Reduce Air Pollution, a considerable number of countries in Asia and the Pacific are in the process of reviewing or updating their air quality legislation or have recently adopted new air quality and related plans and policies. While a positive development, this must be accompanied by supporting mechanisms to ensure effective implementation.

This session will introduce the components of a robust air quality governance system and facilitate sharing of recent developments by countries on their air quality legislation. It will identify the challenges faced in implementing their legislation and explore opportunities to strengthen their implementation and enforcement to improve air quality.

Moderator
Mr. Young Sunwoo, APCAP Science Panel Member, Director General, International Union of Air Pollution Prevention Associations

Framing Presentation
• Ms. Eloise Scotford, Professor of Environmental Law, University College London

Message
• Mr. David R. Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment

Panel discussion
• H.E. Dr. Abdulla Naseer, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Maldives
• Mr. Chandath Him, Deputy Director of Air quality, Noise and Vibration Management Department, Ministry of Environment Cambodia
• Mr. Prashant Gargava, Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board, India
• Ms. Glynda Bathan Baterina, Deputy Executive Director, Clean Air Asia
• Ms. Gina Bonifacino, Manager of Air Planning Section, US Environmental Protection Agency
09:10
Session 5. APCAP Joint Forum Session: Investment for clean air action Air pollution takes a heavy toll on the region’s economy – which is still recovering from the pandemic. Financing is a critical element in air quality management and will be necessary to shift the needle on air pollution. Inadequate funding for air quality management is one of the key challenges identified in UNEP Actions on Air Quality Report.

This session will discuss the financing needs to address air pollution and reflect on opportunities to bring the level of finance for air quality from various sources to match the scale of the issue in the region. It will also feature private sector representatives that are investing on solutions that will contribute to reducing emissions from specific sectors. 

Moderator
• Mr. Young-Woo Park, Outside Director of Kumho Petrochemical Co. in Seoul, Republic of Korea

Framing Presentation
• Ms. Ann Jeannette Glauber, Practice Manager - Environment and Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice, World Bank
• Mr. Johan C.I. Kuylenstierna, Research Leader, SEI
• Mr. Sean Maguire, Strategic Partnerships & Communications Director, Clean Air Fund

Panel discussion
• H.E. Mr. Tuvdendorj Gantumur, Vice Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mongolia
• Ms. Huda Ali Shareef, Deputy Ambassador & Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Embassy of Maldives to Thailand
• Ms. Karma Yangzom, Principal Environment Specialist, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, ADB
• Mr. Shailesh Vickram Singh, Founder, Massive Mobility
• Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator of the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET)
12:00
Side-event: EANET Seminar on learning on reducing emission from open burning This event is organized by the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), and the Network Center for EANET, and is co-organized by the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategy (IGES).

For onsite participants: Meeting Room 304, 3rd floor, Suwon Convention Centre

Register: https://www.eanet.asia/eanet-seminar-learning-reducing-emission-open-burning-registration/
12:00
Side-Event: Knowledge sharing workshop: Learning how to reduce emissions from open burning Side-Event: Knowledge sharing workshop: Learning how to reduce emissions from open burning

07 Sep 2022

Time & Place
Event Details
07:30
International Symposium by the Korean society for Environment Health International Symposium by the Korean society for Environment Health
08:00
Side-event: Launch of the Asia Clean Blue Sky Program This is organized by the Asian Development Bank.

For onsite participants: Meeting Room 304, 3rd floor, Suwon Convention Centre
10:00
Session 6. Closing of the Meeting Key Messages and Way Forward
• Ms. Huda Ali Shareef, Deputy Ambassador & Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Embassy of Maldives to Thailand
• Ms. Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, Founder and Executive Director, Ella Roberta Family Foundation
• Mr. DaeGeun Park, Director of the Fine Dust Countermeasure Division, Gyeonggi Provincial Government


Closing remarks
• Mr. Jinseop Eom, Director General for Environment, Gyeonggi Provincial Government
• Mr. Mushtaq Memon, Asia Pacific Coordinator for Pollution and Chemicals Action, UNEP
12:00
Field Visit Field Visit

The Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) aims to:

  • Serve as a mechanism for better coordination and collaboration of clean air programs in the region.
  • Provide a platform to generate and share knowledge on air pollution initiatives, policies, and technologies in the Asia Pacific region.
  • Strengthen institutional capacity, provide technical assistance on air quality management; and support air quality assessments to identify solutions for clean air.

The voluntary partnership was launched by UNEP and partners in 2015 as a response to the call for action on air quality at the First Session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) in 2014 (Resolution 1/7 on Air Quality) and 2017 (Resolution on Preventing and Reducing Air pollution to Improve Air Quality Globally) and to help achieve the relevant Sustainable Development Goals.

This responds to Resolution 3/8 of the third United Nations Environment Assembly in 2017 on ‘Preventing and reducing air pollution to improve air quality globally’ which requested the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to, inter alia, ‘support the enhancement of regional cooperation to address air pollution…in close cooperation with the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership, and to organize regional communities of practice for air quality management through the regional offices of the United Nations Environment Programme.’ (paragraph 7(c)).

Timeline of the APCAP Joint Forum

Timeline

The first two forums in 2015 and 2018 were organized in Bangkok, Thailand. The Second APCAP Joint Forum was organized as part of the Asia Pacific Clean Air Week. It brought together 300 delegates from 30 countries to share and exchange practical and innovative solutions for clean air. The forum showcased the leadership that the governments, cities, NGOs, businesses, and citizens were taking to fight air pollution and demonstrated that proven solutions do exist. Many of these solutions are linked to technology and innovation, financing supported by credible science and policy guidance and tools, and wider public awareness on health, social, and economic implications of poor air quality.

The third APCAP Joint Forum was organized as a virtual event on 8-9 September 2021 and was hosted by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan where over 500 participants from 30 countries joined. The theme of for the third iteration was ‘build back better for healthy air, healthy planet’ and contributed to the commemoration of the second International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.

More information about previous forums is available online: http://cleanairweek.org/

 

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