Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to improving air quality through stronger regional cooperation, scientific research, and integrated monitoring as air pollution increasingly poses a serious threat to public health.
The Ministry of Environment (KLH)/Environmental Control Agency (BPLH), in cooperation with the Network Center for the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET), held a National Awareness Workshop titled “Understanding Air Pollution and Its Sources, Weather, Climate, and Topography in Indonesia” at the KLH/BPLH headquarters in Jakarta on Friday, September 4, 2026.
The forum brought together policymakers, academics, and researchers to discuss comprehensive strategies for addressing air pollution and strengthening air-quality management in Indonesia.
Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Secretary-General of BPLH Rosa Vivien Ratnawati said Indonesia has been an integral member of EANET since 1998. She emphasized that regional cooperation is essential because air pollution crosses national borders.
“By joining EANET, we can learn from one another and share data. Air pollution is complex and influenced by urbanization, industrial development, and weather. We cannot address it alone. We need a strong scientific foundation and close cooperation,” Rosa Vivien said.
EANET Deputy Director-General Siwaporn Rungsiyanon outlined the network’s expanding monitoring agenda. After more than two decades of focusing primarily on acid deposition, EANET has expanded its operational scope to include fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can contribute to haze and public health risks.
Siwaporn also expressed EANET’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Indonesia in addressing environmental challenges across Asia.
“We want to cooperate with Indonesia in the future. Developed countries may not fully understand our conditions, but countries in Asia share similar cultures and challenges. We want to build capacity, support the younger generation, and make use of more affordable sensor and satellite technologies,” Siwaporn said.
She expressed hope that regional cooperation would help countries work toward cleaner air, land, and water.
From the scientific community, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) researcher Muhayatun urged Indonesia to adopt preventive measures rather than waiting for major environmental crises to emerge.
She noted that pollution profiles vary significantly across Indonesia, with differences between major urban centers such as Jakarta and Surabaya and regions outside Java. As a result, air-quality policies should be based on scientific evidence and empirical data.
“Science-based air-quality management is essential. Without understanding the sources of pollution, air-quality control plans will not succeed. We need to know where pollutants come from, how weather and climate affect them, and how our interventions can directly address the sources,” Muhayatun said.
The workshop involved representatives from the 13 countries participating in the regional EANET initiative.
The Indonesian government expects stronger integration of research, technology, and policymaking to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of air-quality management, protect public health, and support environmental sustainability for future generations. (*)
