UB and JICA to resume collaborative effort for air pollution

Ulaanbaatar and JICA has agreed to launch the third phase of Capacity Development Project for Air Pollution Control in Ulaanbaatar in an effort to reduce smog in the city.

Deputy Mayor of Ulaanbaatar J.Batbayasgalan and development specialist at Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources Yamado Taizo met on Tuesday to discuss measures and activities to be carried through the project.

The third phase of the project, initiated in 2010, will be immediately started once the Japanese government approves the protocol signed by the two representatives. With the Japanese government’s consent, the Mongolian and Japanese sides will further expand cooperation on anti-air pollution efforts and focus on strengthening the capacity and skills of environmental specialists in Mongolia and improve air pollution control in Ulaanbaatar for the next five years.

In the last seven years, Capacity Development Project for Air Pollution Control in Ulaanbaatar has contributed in strengthening measures for emission reduction of air pollutants, building air quality monitoring systems in the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, developing human resource, and enhancing the capability to evaluate pollution structure by integrating emission inventory, simulation model and ambient air quality monitoring.

In addition, the Japanese side donated equipment and devices for monitoring air pollution in Ulaanbaatar through the project.