Haze pollution is a transboundary air pollution problem that countries in the South-East Asian region face every year, posing a major threat to the environment and public health. According to announcements by meteorological departments, the region is now entering a period of intensified El Niño conditions. Therefore, during this period of extreme weather, it is essential for all countries to join hands in making concerted efforts to mitigate transboundary haze pollution.
Currently, haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia is affecting Malaysia and Singapore. The forest fires have been triggered by the burning of peatlands and land clearing for agriculture on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Haze pollution is affecting not only Indonesia but also Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and southern Thailand. In response to the problem, Singapore and Indonesia are undertaking joint efforts to address it.
In the Mekong subregion countries in the northern part of ASEAN, transboundary haze pollution also frequently occurs as a result of slash-andburn farming, the burning of agricultural residues and forest fires. February and March are the peak months for haze pollution each year, and the northern ASEAN region, comprising Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, often reaches Haze Alert Level 3. Haze pollution is caused by the burning of crop residues in agricultural fields to prepare land for summer crop cultivation, as well as slashand-burn farming. In addition, forest fires occur most frequently when dry leaves in forests catch fire due to hot and dry weather conditions. Weather conditions such as low wind speeds and the phenomenon in which cooler air presses down on warmer air prevent smoke and PM2.5 particles from dispersing upwards, trapping them in the atmosphere close to the ground. These factors further exacerbate the haze pollution problem.
Transboundary haze pollution is a problem that cannot be addressed by any single country alone. Therefore, ASEAN member states are implementing regional cooperation mechanisms to tackle the issue. In 2002, ASEAN countries signed the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) and have been working together to monitor and prevent haze pollution in order to achieve a haze-free ASEAN region. Furthermore, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos have jointly developed the CLEAR Sky Strategy (2024-2030) to prevent transboundary haze pollution in the Mekong subregion.
Under this joint initiative, the three countries are working together to monitor and control seasonal forest fires and air pollution, particularly PM2.5. Everyone should actively participate in sharing information within families and communities about the potential health impacts of haze pollution and raising awareness of the importance of avoiding open burning.
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