The Secretariat for the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET), in collaboration with the Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) and the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), organized the EANET National Awareness Workshop in Myanmar from 24-25 February 2020 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Union Ministers for the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Deputy Ministers for the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Permanent Secretaries for the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, and, the Ministry of Education, Head of Departments. In addition, representatives from the Secretariat for the EANET, Network Center, government officials, academicians, non-government organizations and private sectors also attended the opening ceremony.
A total of 60 delegates and participants from different sectors, such as agriculture, industries, transport, forestry, agriculture, health, and education, as well as policymakers attended the workshop. They consisted of representatives of government officials, civil society organizations, development agencies, universities and representatives from the private sector.
The two-day workshop aimed to facilitate sharing and learning platforms and to increase understanding of issues related to the prevention of air pollution and to increase knowledge and understanding of workshop participants in managing air quality in their work.
In his welcome remarks, Mr U Thant Sin Maung, Union Minister for Ministry of Transport and Communications, mentioned that air pollution, especially transboundary haze pollution, has become the most prominent and pressing environmental problem in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.
“In order to solve the pollution, we need to review the relevant national policies and legal framework, linking with existing and upcoming laws, policies and regulations to detect and monitor current on pollution sources constantly. It is also required for preventing and reducing air pollution to improve air quality globally through its monitoring and assessment activities linked to advanced technology,” he said.
The minister mentioned the need to take response actions for climate change mitigation measures, awareness-raising to all relevant stakeholders, capacity building, and integrated approaches for national and international cooperation in implementing sustainable development of the environment. He believed that EANET activities are playing a critical role to provide a better understanding of the consequences of air pollution and acid deposition on human health and the natural environment.
During the workshop, the experts from EANET and invited participants shared presentations and discussions on the current status and development of acid deposition and air pollution monitoring activities in EANET member countries, effects of climate change on acid deposition and air pollution. They also led group discussions on the current situation, challenges and effective implementation for mitigation of air pollution.
The participants had the opportunity to discuss challenges, opportunities and potential solutions on air-pollutions and acid deposition problems from different sectors’ point of view.
To find out more about this event, download the EANET National Awareness Workshop Event Report or check out this photo album.
