Key facts
- Southeast Asian nations have failed to effectively address the annual haze crisis.
- The haze is caused by agricultural burning in Indonesia.
- The pollution affects millions across Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and parts of Thailand and the Philippines.
- A report criticizes the region's response as bungled due to a lack of coordinated action and enforcement.
Southeast Asian nations have repeatedly failed to effectively address the annual haze crisis, according to a report. The persistent air pollution, primarily caused by agricultural burning in Indonesia, particularly on Sumatra and Borneo, impacts millions across Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and parts of Thailand and the Philippines. The report criticizes the region's response as bungled, citing a lack of coordinated action and enforcement against the land and forest fires that generate the smog. This recurring environmental issue highlights ongoing challenges in regional cooperation and environmental governance.