Southeast Asian foreign ministers will discuss tackling the transboundary haze blanketing parts of the region ahead of the ASEAN bloc's summit next month, Malaysia's top diplomat said. Forest and land fires in Indonesia have caused thick haze in Singapore and Malaysia, leading to school closures.
The transboundary haze caused by Indonesian wildfires poses a significant environmental and health risk to millions across Southeast Asia, impacting daily life and potentially disrupting economic activity. The inclusion of this issue on the ASEAN agenda signals a move towards coordinated regional action on a persistent environmental challenge.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers are set to discuss strategies to combat the thick haze affecting the region during preparatory meetings in November, prior to the ASEAN summit. Malaysia's top diplomat indicated that the issue would be raised, as forest and land fires in Indonesia have intensified over recent months, leading to significant haze in Singapore and Malaysia and prompting school closures in Malaysia.
The current wildfires, primarily on Sumatra and Borneo, are reported to be the most severe in 11 years. According to Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, ASEAN's existing frameworks for natural disasters, such as floods and volcanic eruptions, do not currently encompass haze. Hasan stated his intention to personally introduce the haze issue during discussions with his counterparts before the 49th ASEAN summit in Manila.
Discussions with Indonesia's foreign minister revealed that firefighting efforts are being hampered by poor visibility, accessibility challenges, and unfavorable conditions for cloud seeding.
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