Concerted efforts key to tackling haze issue in region

Haze has become a serious environmental problem in Southeast Asia as it not only brings a negative impact on human health but also affects economies in the region.

Amid the growing threat, member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, have been working closely in recent years to tackle the issue.

During the 17th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment and the 18th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution held in the Lao capital Vientiane in August, ASEAN members agreed to combat air pollution under a new "Clear Sky" strategy.

The meetings acknowledged the achievements and progress of regional cooperation efforts in addressing a number of environmental issues.

The Clear Sky strategy includes plans to increase the value of unwanted farming waste to disincentivize agricultural burning and encourage wider adoption of methods compatible with a bio-circular-green economy.

Pinsak Surasawadi, chief of the Thai Department of Pollution Control, said the ministry has put in great effort into promoting the Clear Sky strategy among ASEAN members by drawing support from the private sector to deal with the problem sustainably.

Pinsak said Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have agreed with the Clear Sky strategy proposed by Thailand and will work together to prevent and sustainably reduce haze pollution from outdoor burning under an action plan and knowledge exchange agreement.

Moreover, he said Thailand and South Korea will enhance cooperation on "better air" projects, including improving air quality monitoring, reporting and forecast systems, which would be extended to benefit all ASEAN members.

Coordination needed

At the Vientiane meeting, the countries also agreed to establish the ASEAN Center for Climate Change. Based in Brunei, it aims to facilitate regional cooperation and coordination on climate change initiatives among member states with relevant organizations and provide policy recommendations on addressing climate change.

As the host of the ASEAN environmental ministerial meeting next year, Thailand has been active in haze control.

During an official visit to Laos on Oct 30, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin noted the importance of regional cooperation.

The two countries agreed to work even more closely on the issue of transboundary haze and tasked their relevant agencies to conclude the trilateral Joint Plan of Action for Thailand, Laos and Myanmar by the end of this year.

Srettha also said Thailand will support the development of Laos' fire risk map and capacity-building programs on the control of forest fires and crop burning.

During his visit to Chiang Mai late last month, Srettha reaffirmed that Thailand will hold talks with Laos and Myanmar for cooperation in fighting haze, adding that Thailand might also offer to help them with managing farm waste.