The Clean Air Training Network for Asia (CATNet-Asia) will be holding a two-day side event on 15-16 December 2003 at the Edsa Shangri-La hotel. Previous CATNet-Asia activities organized in 2003 will be reviewed and discussed. Participants will also discuss the business plan for 2004.

CATNet-Asia is a regional air quality management training consortium for Asia, modeled after the US-EPA's Air Pollution Training Institute (APTI). The mission of CATNet-Asia is to improve air quality in Asia by delivering a comprehensive, regional training program based on collaboration, commitment, and sustainability. Last October, the Pollution Control Department of the Royal Government of Thailand was named the initial coordinator of CATNet-Asia, with support from US-EPA.

CATNet-Asia is currently developing a cadre of trained air pollution instructors at participating technical/training organizations in Asia committed to forming a network of "Centers of Excellence" for air quality management training in the region. Not only will these Centers of Excellence provide a valuable training resource for the region, but they will also offer a powerful network for stakeholders to assimilate/disseminate information resources on tools, technologies, research, best practices, and regional innovations, such as:

• air quality monitoring
• air pollution control engineering
• air quality modeling and meteorology
• compliance and enforcement
• permitting
• air toxics
• fuel quality/alternative fuels
• inspection and maintenance (I/M)

To know more about this side event contact: