On October 30-November 1, 2018, the 15th Tripartite Presidents Meeting (TPM 15) among the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) of Korea, the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) of China and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) of Japan was held in Busan, Korea. Li Haisheng, President of CRAES, Watanabe Chiho, President of NIES and Chang Yoon Seok, President of NIER, attended the meeting with respective delegations.

President Li Haisheng expressed in his delivery that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has experienced historic, transitional and overall changes in the ecology and environment awareness and practices, with remarkable achievements made in ecological civilization. As the deepening of ecological and environmental protection in China, there are more urgent needs for relevant science and technologies. Thus, it is necessary to learn from Japan and Korea the advanced environmental management technologies and experience. The TPM mechanism provides a sound opportunity and an efficient platform for three sides to exchange research, share information, and explore future cooperation. Through the platform, further intensify cooperation with NIES and NIER is expected, so as to make contribution to China’s battle against pollution.

In the meeting, representatives from the three countries reported and exchanged on topics of “Research Progress after TPM14” and “Research on Future Cooperation”. Regarding air pollution prevention and control, President Li Haisheng pointed out that massive and effective progress had been made in China on air pollution prevention and control during recent years, with remarkable achievements made in air quality improvement. In accordance with the requirement of Li Ganjie, minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, special studies will be carried out to further address issues on transboundary transportation of atmospheric pollutants by enhancing scientific and technological methods such as maritime navigation observation and model simulation, and by cooperating on the study of air pollution characteristics, distribution and transportation rules in East Asia. It was expected that relevant scientific research institutions in China, Japan and Korea would enhance exchange and cooperation so as to jointly accomplish special researches with a more positive attitude.

In the meeting, consensus on TPM mechanism reform was reached, and the three presidents have signed the “Joint Communique of the 15th Tripartite Presidents Meeting among NIER, CRAES and NIES”.

The parallel work themed “Current Status and Future of Solid Waste Management and Treatment” was also held during the meeting.

Nearly 50 experts and representatives from NIER, CRAES, and NIES attended the meeting.