To tackle environmental problems and foster cooperation on important issues, efforts at promoting subregional environmental cooperation in North-East Asia were first undertaken by UNESCAP in cooperation with UNDP, UNEP, ADB and the World Bank, immediately following the Rio Conference in 1992. The yearly NEASPEC Meetings of Senior Officials contribute to both policy dialogue and exchange of experiences in this subregion. At the meetings, important decisions of the subregion are discussed towards the implementation of sustainable development. The budget and the work plan of NEASPEC is approved at the Senior Officials' Meetings. In addition, ongoing projects are reviewed, and further areas of cooperation and project ideas are identified. The following account outlines the outcomes of each Senior Officials Meeting of NEASPEC in chronological order:
SOM-1 (8-11 February 1993, Seoul, Republic of Korea)
The First Meeting of Senior Officials (SOM-1) was held as a unique attempt of its kind in this subregion at the official level. Since then, through the consultation process in a series of Meetings of Senior Officials, NEASPEC has continuously developed its function as a policy dialogue forum to deal with environmental issues with common concern of the countries in the subregion, in parallel with pursuing environmental co-operation projects in the relevant fields, with the participation of senior officials from China, Japan, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation. SOM-1's principal contribution was the identification of three priority areas for cooperation, which included a) Energy and air pollution, b) Ecosystem management, in particular deforestation and desertification, and c) Capacity-building.
SOM-2 (28-29 November 1994, Beijing, China)
The Second Meeting of Senior Officials (SOM-2), held with the additional participation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea included all of the six North-East Asian countries i.e. China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Republic of Korea and Russian Federation and endorsed five priority (first phase) projects for implementation for NEASPEC countries: (a) Operations and Maintenance Training for Reduction of Sulphur Dioxide in Older Coal Fired Electricity Generation; (b) Demonstration of Clean Coal-Fired Power Plant Technology; (c) North-East Asian Biodiversity Management Programme; (d) North-East Asian Seed Research and Information Base for Forests and Grasslands; (e) Environmental Pollution Data Collection, Intercalibration, Standardization and Analysis. Out of the five projects identified, the meeting urged that three projects be supported with funding from the Asian Development Bank and UNESCAP. These were: Subproject-I: Training for Sulphur Dioxide Reduction in Coal-Fired Power Plants; Subproject-II: Demonstration of Low- Air Pollution Coal-Fired Power Plant Technology; Subproject-III: Environmental Pollution-Data Collection, Comparability and Analysis.
The Third meeting of Senior Officials adopted a landmark Framework for NEASPEC. Among other things the Framework elaborated the geographical coverage, programme objectives, the functions and responsibilities of senior officials in promoting cooperation on the environment, and coordination, management and financial mechanism of such cooperation. This was subsequently reported as a major subregional initiative to global environmental forums, including the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, June 1997, namely "Rio+5", which undertook a comprehensive review of the implementation of Agenda 21.
SOM-4 (13-16 January, 1998; Moscow, the Russian Federation)
The Fourth Meeting of Senior Officials endorsed four follow-up second phase projects and it also adopted a resolution agreeing to elaborate issues relating to institutional and financial arrangements for the Programme and make efforts towards financial arrangements, including a trust fund, and to reach a consensus on the modalities of the trust fund. The meeting also supported the establishment of two training centres in the Republic of Korea, which ultimately became known as the "North-East Asian Centre for Environmental Data and Training" hosted by the National Institute of Environmental Research; and the "North-East Asian Training Centre for Pollution Reduction in Coal-fired Power Plants," hosted by the Korea Electric Power Research Institute (KEPRI). Additionally, Four primary projects were identified for the follow up funding : Project I: Pollution Reduction in Coal-fired Power Plants; Project II: Environmental Monitoring, Data Collection, Comparability and Analysis; Project III: Efficiency Improvement of Electrostatic Precipitators in Existing Power Plants; Project IV: Demonstration of Dry Sorbent Duct Injection (DSDI) Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) Technology.
SOM-5 (24-26 February, 1999; Kobe, Japan)
The fifth Meeting of Senior Officials expressed that NEASPEC provided the only framework of its kind in the subregion for modest but practical environmental cooperation. The Meeting further stressed that the cooperation among the countries of North-East Asia was indispensable in order for future generations to realize a century of peace and prosperity for which the opportunities provided by the framework should be fully utilized. The Meeting also recognized the urgent need for exchange of views on policy matters among the neighboring countries for environmental protection and promotion of sustainable development. It also pointed out that the wealth of expertise should be fully utilized for promoting further cooperation. The Meeting encouraged the continuance of various subregional environmental cooperation activities with focus on the efforts at capacity building and exchange of information. SOM-5 also reaffirmed that the four second phase projects should build on the tangible results of the completed projects and urged each of the participating countries and collaborating agencies to continue efforts to secure support for those projects.
SOM-6 (9-10 March, 2000; Seoul, Republic of Korea)
The sixth Meeting of Senior Officials adopted the Vision Statement for Environmental Cooperation in North-East Asia and recommended that it, together with the Framework of NEASPEC, should provide policy guidance to NEASPEC in the 21st century. In this connection, the meeting emphasized the need for further development of the present Framework for NEASPEC into a comprehensive programme for environmental cooperation, requested the ESCAP secretariat to administer a core fund to support the projects adopted by the meetings of senior officials and reviewed titles of three project component following the Technical Assistance Project funded by the ADB as follows: Project I: Regional Training for Reducing Pollution from Coal-Fired Power Plants; Project II: Environmental Monitoring, Data Collection, Comparability and Analysis; Project III: Action Plans for Improving the Efficiency of Particulate Abatement Systems in Existing Power Plants.
SOM-7 (27 July, 2001;Beijing, China)
The seventh Meeting of Senior Officials discussed ongoing projects as well as the subregion's preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. It also considered three programmes that were proposed by the secretariat, i.e. 1) Comprehensive Clean Technology Programme, 2) North-East Asia Nature Conservation Programme, and 3) Environmental Monitoring and Data Collection Programme.
SOM-8 (20 June, 2002; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)
The Eighth Meeting of Senior Officials on Environmental Cooperation in North-East Asia SOM-8 was held in Mongolia. The meeting showed its satisfaction with the implementation of NEASPEC projects on pollution control and environmental monitoring, data collection, comparability and analysis. It also recommended the initiation of the programme on nature conservation through the organization of an expert meeting and recommended to establish a working group of national focal points on nature conservation to identify priority areas for development of projects on nature conservation and exchange of information on issues and problems. Moreover, undertaking activities on nature conservation with the involvement of stakeholders was strongly supported and several areas for action were recognized such as capacity building, exchange of information and expertise, data base management, scientific research and use of Geographical Information System (GIS). The Meeting also encouraged the development of the GEF project on dust and sand storms through collaborative efforts of international organizations recommended that public awareness on NEASPEC should be raised both at the national and regional as well as global levels.
SOM-9 (2-4 March 2004; Moscow, the Russian Federation)
The Ninth Senior Officials Meeting (SOM-9) of NEASPEC held from 3 to 4 March 2004 in Moscow, the Russian Federation and attended by representatives of China, Japan, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation, The Meeting reviewed the status of implementation of NEASPEC Projects on Pollution Control and Monitoring and on Control of Dust and Sand Storms in North-East Asia. The Meeting decided to undertake activities in two of eight initially identified priority areas, i.e. - conservation and recovery of large mammals and threatened species; and -- conservation, monitoring and cooperative research on important migratory species. It recommended use of modern tools of information and communication technology should be promoted as far as possible in the data exchange, implementation of training programmes and documentation on the project activities through the NEASPEC web site.
SOM-10 (24-26 November 2004; Naha, Okinawa, Japan)
The Tenth Senior Official Meeting (SOM-10) of NEASPEC was held from 24 to 26 November in Japan. The meeting reviewed the terminal report for the implementation of ADB-funded RETA on the reduction of air pollution and noted with satisfaction that the training and data monitoring manuals of such were being replicated in CA. Project proposal for a Framework for Nature Conservation Programme in North-East Asia and proposal budget were approved. Besides, its implementation and disbursement of the funds were required to be reported to the SOM-11. The Ministers of NEASPEC countries were proposed to have an informal gathering during the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development to enhance the visibility of NEASPEC's success. The Meeting recommended that a detailed paper, including project concept, time frame and activities, on new and emerging issues related to environmentally sustainable economic growth in North-East Aisa be developed and presented to SOM-11.
SOM-11 (25-26 October 2005; Seoul, ROK)
The Eleventh Meeting of NEASPEC was held on 25-26 October 2005 in Seoul, the Republic of Korea. The meeting was attended by delegates and experts from China, Japan, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation.
The SOM reviewed NEASPEC activities including the first NEASPEC environment ministers meeting which was held during MCED 2005, Framework for a Nature Conservation Programme in North-East Asia and Mitigation of Transboundary Air Pollution from Coal-Fired Power Plants. In addition, the Meeting reviewed the follow-up activities of MCED 2005 and projects on dust and sandstorm.
The Meeting discussed proposals for future activities on emerging issues related to environmentally sustainable economic growth and North-East Asia Environment Outlook.
The Meeting also reviewed the expenditure of NEASPEC Core Fund, and discussed contributions of member countries to the Fund.
Prior to the SOM, Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on emerging issues related to environmentally sustainable economic growth in North-East Asia was held in the morning of the first day. The EGM had resource persons' presentations and country reports focusing on eco-efficiency, and discussions on proper approaches to NEASPEC activities on the topic.
The key outcomes of the meeting are as follows:
The Meeting reaffirmed the significance of NEASPEC in tackling common environmental challenges in the subregion and decided to explore proper ways for strengthening its institutional mechanisms. In particular, the Meeting requested the Secretariat to undertake research on future institutional mechanism and circulate the result among the member countries in well advance of the next SOM in order to make a meaningful decision at the Meeting.
The Meeting noted the importance of ensuring the Nature Conservation Project to produce concrete outcomes, and developing possible options for the participation of DPRK and the Russian Federation in an ADB-funded project on air pollution from coal-fired power plants.
The Meeting also concluded to develop a new activity on eco-efficiency in North-East Asia, and to organize an expert group meeting in 2006 as a preparatory process of project development. In relation to the proposal on North-East Asia Environment Outlook, the Meeting requested the Secretariat to make additional efforts to elaborate on the project concept in detail and circulate the proposal among the member countries for further consultation.
The Meeting decided to explore holding an informal NEASPEC ministers' meeting during an international gathering of environment ministers such as the 14th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development.
The Twelfth Senior Officials Meeting was held on 22-23 March, 2007, in Beijing, and attended by all six member countries. Key conclusions of the SOM are as follows. For detailed information, please refer to the Report of the SOM.
Reaffirmed the need to strengthen NEASPEC into a comprehensive mechanism by developing new programme areas, enhancing ownership of the member countries, and making effective institutional arrangements. In this context, the Meeting decided to continue consolations on the proposal of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on establishing and hosting the permanent secretariat of NEASPEC.
Reaffirmed supports to the implementation of ADB RETA Project on Transboundary Air Pollutions from Coal-Fired Power Plants in North-East Asia
Adopted the Resolution on the Framework for Nature Conservation Programme in North-East Asia and endorsed the Nature Conservation Strategy.
Decided to launch “Eco-efficiency Partnership in North-East Asia” and requested the Secretariat to develop a detailed activity plan for the Partnership.
The Thirteenth Senior Officials Meeting was held on 20-21 March 2008 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. As NEASPEC was launched in February 1993, the 13th SOM was the special occasion for celebrating the 15th anniversary as well as exploring new roles of NEASPEC.
SOM-14 (8-9 April 2009; Moscow, Russian Federation)
Attended by representatives of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation, the Fourteenth Senior Officials Meeting of NEASPEC was held on 8-9 April, 2009 in Moscow, Russian Federation. The Meeting exchanged information on national initiatives relevant to NEASPEC and views on the significance of NEASPEC as a key vehicle for sub-regional environmental cooperation. It received the recognition of member countries’ about the progress of NEASPEC and at the same time the importance of strengthening its activity and coordination among member countries. The Meeting also made recommendations concerning the progress of four NEAPSEC projects including (a) Project on Mitigation of Transboundary Air Pollution from Coal-fired Power Plants; (b) Project on Nature Conservation in Transboundary Areas; (c) Project on the Mitigation of Dust and Sandstorms; and (d) Eco-efficiency Partnership.
