In 2012, ~30 scientists from the U.S, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, and Canada assembled to exchange information on programs in Asia and North America that monitor atmospheric mercury. Participants identified key monitoring gaps in the region and articulated the need for a coordinated Asia-wide network to monitor mercury transport and deposition.
At a subsequent workshop in 2013, scientific experts and ministry/agency officials agreed to develop a standardized pilot network that monitors wet deposition and atmospheric concentrations of mercury. The Asia-Pacific Mercury Monitoring Network was formed.
Since 2013, significant progress has been achieved by improving the capacity and coordination among participating countries, including: written SOPs to monitor mercury in precipitation, training on the operation and maintenance of wet deposition mercury concentrations, and equipment for three new pilot stations in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam . The APMMN organization, scientific principles, and operating protocols are based on NADP.