Joint Communiqué
The 19th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting
Among Korea, China, and Japan
24-25 August 2017, Suwon, Korea

Preamble1.

At the invitation of Minister KIM Eunkyung of the Ministry of Environment of theRepublic of Korea, Minister LI Ganjie of the Ministry of Environmental Protectionof the People’s Republic of China and Minister NAKAGAWA Masaharu of theMinistry of the Environment of Japan, visited Suwon, where the three Ministers
met for the 19th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (TEMM19) on 24-25
August 2017.

Latest Development of Environmental Policies in Three Countries
2.

The Ministers shared recent progress in environmental policies in each country
since TEMM18. Minister KIM presented “Major Environmental Policies of theNew Government”, Minister LI presented “Strive to Win the Tough Fight forEnvironmental Protection and Accelerate the Creation of Green Development
Pattern and Lifestyle”, and Minister NAKAGAWA presented “Latest Developmentof National Environmental Policies”. The Ministers welcomed the progress andshared the view that these environmental policies would contribute to thesustainable development in Northeast Asia, and would lay the foundation forsolving regional and global environmental challenges.

Major Policies to Address Regional and Global Environmental Issues
3.

The Ministers exchanged views and policies on addressing regional and global
environmental issues, specifically, “Korea’s Response to Regional and Global
Environmental Issues – Implementation and Support for SDGs ” by Minister KIM,
“Strengthening Environmental Cooperation and Jointly Promoting GreenDevelopment” by Minister LI, and “Key Policies for Global and Regional
Environmental Issues” by Minister NAKAGAWA.
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4.

On achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the Ministers appreciated that
China issued the National Plan on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development in 2016, Korea established the Third National Basic Planfor Sustainable Development 2016-2035, and Japan issued SDGs Implementation
Guiding Principles as the national strategy to implement the 2030 Agenda in 2016.
They welcomed that three countries expressed their commitment to actively
participating in Voluntary National Reviews to the High Level Political Forum on
Sustainable Development and recognized that the three countries should cooperate
to facilitate the global efforts in achieving the 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment.

5.

The Ministers welcomed the early entry-into-force of the Paris Agreement andexpressed appreciation of three countries’ global leadership and contribution to thisend. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to uphold and faithfully implement
the Paris Agreement. They took note of the progress made at the 22nd Conferenceof the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which took
place in November 2016 in Marrakesh, Morocco and expressed their willingness towork in cooperation towards the completion of the work program under the Paris
Agreement by 2018. In addition, the Ministers confirmed that three countries
commit to establish long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies.

6.

The Ministers welcomed the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the MontrealProtocol to phase-down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) at the twenty-eighth Meetingof the Parties. The Ministers expressed their intention, and also encouraged otherParties to the Protocol, to take necessary domestic steps for the early ratification ofthe Amendment with a view of achieving its universal ratification. Ministers
recognized the importance of implementing concrete measures to minimize
emissions throughout the lifecycle of HFCs and other fluorocarbons.

7.

The Ministers welcomed the decision of China to host the 15th Conference ofParties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Japan, as thehost of the COP10 and Korea, as the host of the COP12, expressed theirwillingness to share experiences and cooperate with China for the success of theCOP15.

2The Ministers welcomed that G20 launched two new initiatives, “G20 Resource
Efficiency Dialogue” and “G20 Action Plan on Marine Litter”, to contribute to theimplementation of the 2030 Agenda and to reflect their commitment to sustainabledevelopment.
Review of Progress on Tripartite Joint Action Plan on Environmental Cooperation(2015-2019)8.

The Ministers reviewed the progress of the Tripartite Joint Action Plan on
Environmental Cooperation 2015-2019 adopted at TEMM17 in April 2015 inShanghai, China. They confirmed the progress of the tripartite cooperative projects
under the nine priority areas contained in the Plan, and committed to continue thecooperative efforts among the three countries.

Environmental Cooperation in Each Priority AreaI.
9.

Air Quality Improvement
The Ministers expressed their concern over the risks posed by ambient air pollution
on human health and the environment, and recognized that air pollution is one of
the most urgent environmental issues in Northeast Asia. They shared the view thatthe joint tripartite collaboration is a necessary mechanism to address the regional
challenge and agreed to further strengthen this cooperation.
The Ministers acknowledged the significant role of the on-going tripartite
cooperative activities including the Tripartite Policy Dialogue on Air Pollution(TPDAP) in improving the regional air quality. Thereby they re-confirmed topromote the tripartite cooperation for regional air pollution control through sharing
good political efforts and practices and scientific research results, particularly under
the umbrella of the TPDAP.
The Ministers welcomed the outcome of practical collaboration in the 4th TPDAP
held on 23-24 February 2017 in Hangzhou, China, including the agreement toexpand the scope of information sharing of air quality policies and on the need toexchange emission sources inventories. The Ministers also recognized thesignificant results of the meetings of the two Working Groups of TPDAP whichwere held on 22 February 2017 back-to-back with the 4th TPDAP, including thework of the Working Group I (WGI) to share experiences in VOCs control
3incentives and penalties, and petrochemical management, and the work of theWorking Group II (WGII) to exchange information on air quality monitoring,forecast and inventories based on their work plans. The Ministers acknowledged
the items to be discussed including the exchange of up-to-date VOCs control policy
experiences in printing and coating in the WGI, and the sharing of methodologies
for calculating emission factors of off-road mobile sources in the WGII.
The Ministers noted that the WGI and WGII meetings and the 5th TPDAP will beheld on 6-8 February 2018 in Seoul, Korea. They emphasized the compelling needof the active role of TEMM in improving the regional air quality and thereby called
for further action to intensify the tripartite cooperation.
The Ministers welcomed the progress achieved in cooperative activities of the Acid
Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) and Long-Range
Transboundary Air Pollutants in Northeast Asia (LTP) for the regional air qualityimprovement. They expected that the LTP will successfully publish the upcoming
summary report for policy makers and share its outcomes at the next TEMM
Directors General Meeting. The Ministers also appreciated the activities of theNortheast Asian Sub-regional Programme for Environmental Cooperation(NEASPEC), especially noting the continued consultation on the North-East Asia
Clean Air Partnership (NEACAP) with its member governments and relevantmechanisms. They recognized the need for further cooperation in strengthening
technological capacity for air quality monitoring and emissions source inventory.
10. Understanding the significance of the Dust and Sandstorms (DSS) issue as a major
environmental challenge in the region, the Ministers urged to strengthen
collaboration in the field of the DSS. They appreciated the progress made at theWorking Group I (WGI) Meeting held in November 2016 in Jeju, Korea, at theWorking Group II (WGII) Meeting held in November 2016 in Kunming, China,
and at the 2nd Joint Workshop between the WGI and the WGII for Joint Researchon the DSS held in February 2017 in Seoul, Korea.
The Ministers recognized that the data exchange of WGI promoted theimprovement of DSS research and model development in the three countries, andthe joint survey of WGII in Hulunbeier contributed to assessing the DSS prevention
effect of vegetation restoration. They welcomed that the 3rd Joint Workshop will beheld in 2018 in China for closer collaboration between the two working groups, and4

encouraged smooth implementation of the Mid-Term Action Plan (2015-2019) ofeach group.
II.

Biodiversity

11. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promote work towards fulfilling thethree objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), i.e. conservationof biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable
sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
The Ministers welcomed the ongoing work towards the achievement of theStrategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets in thethree countries and confirmed their willingness to continue the endeavor.
The Ministers welcomed the 3rd Tripartite Policy Dialogue on Biodiversity held inApril 2016 in Nanjing, China. They noted that the 4th Policy Dialogue will be held
between 31 August and 1 September 2017 in Shizuoka, Japan.
The Ministers shared the recognition that invasive alien species pose an urgent issue
in East Asia, and confirmed to share within the Tripartite Policy Dialogue onBiodiversity the current status of invasive alien species, their countermeasures andtheir impact in each country, as well as the best practices of the countermeasures
which are learned from there.
They noted the importance of information sharing to prepare for the implementationof the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing (ABS) and decided to continue
such cooperation.
The Ministers welcomed the outcome of the CBD COP13 held in December 2016
in Cancun, Mexico and committed to continue efforts to mainstream biodiversity indevelopment policies in their respective countries.
The Ministers confirmed to promote tripartite joint actions such as cooperative
research on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity through collaborative
initiatives in international and regional platforms such as the Satoyama Initiative,
the Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network (AP-BON), the East andSoutheast Asia Biodiversity Information Initiative (ESABII), and the Bio-Bridge
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Initiative (BBI) to deepen cooperation in the area of biodiversity conservation.
III.

Chemical Management and Environmental Emergency Response

12. The Ministers recognized the outcomes of the 10th Tripartite Policy Dialogue on
Chemicals Management among Japan, Korea and China held in October 2016 inTokyo, Japan including the exchange of latest national policies and international
trends in chemical management. They welcomed the adoption of the Tripartite
Action Plan on Chemical Management up to 2019 which would enhance tripartite
activities in this area and encouraged successful implementation of the plan. The
Ministers confirmed that the 11th Policy Dialogue will be held in 2017 in Korea.
The Ministers appreciated that the result of the joint research on fish acute toxicity
tests was reported at the Expert Meeting on Joint Research for Chemicals held in
October 2016 in Tokyo, Japan for seeking harmonization of the toxicity test
methods among the three countries. They encouraged continued cooperation among
researchers in the area including on harmonizing chronic toxicity test methods.
The Ministers welcomed the entry into force of the Minamata Convention. They
shared the view that proper management of mercury is critical to protecting humanhealth in Northeast Asia. They welcomed Japan and China’s ratification of theMinamata Convention on Mercury and Korea’s progress on its national process forratification. They agreed to strengthen communication and cooperation for theimplementation of the Convention.
13. The Ministers took note of the information exchange about ongoing discussion onthe possible collaborative research activities on the risk assessment ofenvironmental disasters at the 13th Tripartite Presidents Meeting among CRAES,NIES and NIER (TPM) in Kunming, China in November 2016.
The Ministers welcomed that information on waste management of recent disastercases in Japan was shared among three countries and also welcomed that Japan
would prepare an opportunity to share experience and know-how on disaster waste
management in 2017 with participation of stakeholders.
IV.

Circulative Management of Resources/3R/Transboundary Movement of E-Waste

614. The Ministers shared the recognition that promoting sustainable production andconsumption patterns and pursuing the transition to a circular economy/soundmaterial-cycle society in Northeast Asia would significantly contribute to achieving
the Sustainable Development Goals at global level.
15. The Ministers welcomed that the 10th Sound Material Cycle Society/Circular
Economy/3R/Transboundary Movement of E-waste Seminar held in November
2016 in Beijing, China, exchanged latest information on waste management policiesof the three countries including policies relating to E-waste management. They
confirmed that the 11th Seminar will be held in 2017 in Japan.
16. The Ministers recognized the importance of sharing the information ontransboundary movement of e-wastes in trust building and informed decision
making in the Northeast Asian region. They reaffirmed their willingness forcontinued cooperation, including promoting the hotline mechanism, developing
brief report for information, establishing information exchange platform about theE-waste transboundary transfer problem.
V.

Climate Change Response

17. The Ministers recognized the immediate need for concerted response to climatechange at regional and global level and reaffirmed their commitment tostrengthening cooperation to this end.
18. The Ministers welcomed that China would hold the Tripartite Seminar on Climate
Change Response in 2017. They expected that this seminar would lead to
substantial progress in tripartite cooperation on climate change.
19. The Ministers recognized the importance of pursuing greenhouse gas mitigation
through market mechanisms, and noted the three countries’ efforts in this respectincluding the Emission Trading Schemes being operated in Korea, the nationalemission trading system started in 2017 in China and the Joint Crediting Mechanism(JCM) initiated by Japan.
VI.

Conservation of Water and Marine Environment

20. The Ministers shared the recognition that they would endeavor to promote sampling7

the policy issues that are suitable for sharing information and discuss the specificefforts from the point of view of promoting the recognition about water
environment management and the tripartite cooperation including undergroundwater.
21. The Ministers welcomed that 2nd TEMM-NOWPAP Joint Workshop on Marine
Litter held in September 2016 in Russia shared the results of marine litter studies
and related policies of the three countries. They decided to accelerate the exchangeof each country’s policies on marine waste and related research results under theTEMM framework through the Joint Workshop and working level meetings. TheMinisters confirmed that the 3rd Joint Workshop will be held in 2017 in Japan toseek efficient and effective solutions for marine litter.
VII.

Environmental Education, Public Awareness and Corporate Social Responsibility

22. The Ministers acknowledged that enhancing environmental education, raisingpublic awareness and encouraging public participation are essential to promote
environmental protection. They welcomed the substantial outcomes of the 17thTripartite Environmental Education Network (TEEN) symposium and workshop
held in September 2016 in Shenzhen, China with the theme of “Strengtheningengagement for environmental education and sustainable development”. They
confirmed that the 18th TEEN will be held in October 2017 in Suwon, Korea.
They also welcomed that the 16th Tripartite Environmental Training held in 2016 inJapan, with the theme of “circulative management of resources/3R”, had provided
a good opportunity for information exchange on the environmental policies of thethree countries. They confirmed that the 17th training will be held in October 2017in Korea.
23. The Ministers welcomed the results of the Consultation Meeting on General Public
Awareness held in June 2016 in Seoul, Korea in collaboration with the Trilateral
Cooperation Secretariat (TCS). They expressed appreciation to the TCS forsupporting the arrangement of the Consultation Meeting and implementing theTrilateral Teachers’ Exchange Program on Public Awareness. The Ministers
encouraged continued efforts of the three countries and TCS in implementing
publication of a promotional booklet.

824. Having noted the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on theenvironment, the Ministers agreed to promote cooperation on environmental CSR
at the TREB in the future.
VIII.

Rural Environmental Management

25. The Ministers recognized the importance of rural environment quality improvement
and took note of the ongoing domestic efforts of the three countries that are Model
Region of Regional Revitalization of Japan, Eco Energy Town of Korea and Eco
Village of China. They welcomed that the 2nd Tripartite Rural Environment Policy
Dialogue will be held during the second half of 2017 in Japan.
IX.

Transition to Green Economy

26. The Ministers reaffirmed the crucial role played by cooperation in the field ofenvironmental industry and technologies for the transition to green economy.
27. The Ministers recognized the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and agreed to launch the Tripartite Joint Research on theAchievement of the Sustainable Development Goals from EnvironmentalDimension.
28. The Ministers took note of the willingness of Suwon, the host city of TEMM19, toinitiate the discussion on the launch of the Trilateral Forum on Sustainable Cities
among local governments in the three countries.
29. The Ministers welcomed that the first joint exhibition and the first environmental
technology seminar were held in June 2017 in Korea during ENVEX 2017 and willtake place every year in the host country of TEMM. They also welcomed further
discussion on the work mechanism and formulation of work plan on implementing
the Tripartite Cooperation Network for Environmental Pollution Prevention andControl Technologies including website construction and the joint exhibition, andcalled for continued efforts of the three countries to implement the activities.
30. The Ministers welcomed the 2nd Green Finance Seminar to be held in October 2017
in Beijing, China. They also appreciated that tripartite cooperation under theframework of APEC Green Supply Chain Network has been conducted through9activities including annual conferences and capacity building workshop.
Youth Forum and the Tripartite Roundtable on Environmental Business
31. The Ministers recognized that the discussions among business and youth
representatives from the three countries are very meaningful. The Ministers
welcomed the outcomes of the Tripartite Roundtable on Environmental Businessthemed “Social Responsibility of Environmental Industry for Improving Green
Economy Performance” and the Youth Forum themed “Bio-Cultural Diversity andYouth Participation”. They encouraged more communications and exchanges
respectively among the business and the youth sectors in the future.
TEMM Environmental Awards
32. The Ministers congratulated and praised the awardees of the TEMM Environment
Awards ceremony. Mr. LEE Sung bong, Mr. ZHANG Lei, and Dr. YOSHIKAWA
Ken, were awarded for their contributions to the environmental cooperation among
the three countries.
TEMM2033. The Ministers decided that TEMM20 will be held in 2018 in the People’s Republicof China. The date and venue will be suggested by the host country andsubsequently confirmed by Japan and Korea.
34. The Ministers encouraged exchange of ideas to celebrate the 20th anniversary ofTEMM at TEMM20 in 2018 such as commemorative publication and special events.
Closing35. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the fruitful outcome of TEMM19.
Minister LI Ganjie and Minister NAKAGAWA Masaharu extended their deep
appreciation to Minister KIM Eunkyung, the Korean Government and Suwon City
for hosting the meeting and the great hospitality accorded to all participants.

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25 August 2017, Suwon, Korea

KIM Eunkyung
Minister
Ministry of Environment
Republic of Korea

LI Ganjie
Minister
Ministry of Environmental Protection
People’s Republic of China

NAKAGAWA Masaharu
Minister
Ministry of the Environment
Japan11