BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei Darussalam, Aug 7 (NNN-BB NEWS) – Environment officials from Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, on Tuesday, called for timely actions by relevant national and regional agencies within ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) sub-regional bloc, to prevent land and forest fires and haze pollution.
The officials are in Brunei for the 21st Meeting of the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Trans-boundary Haze Pollution (21st MSC). Haze pollution has been a recurring problem for these ASEAN countries, who hope to achieve a haze-free ASEAN by the year 2020.
“The Trans-boundary haze pollution is a prolonged issue that has been impacting our region for more than two decades,” said Brunei Minister of Development, Haji Suhaimi, during the meeting.
“The effect was predominant and has caused serious consequences on the environment and natural resources, health, tourism, transportation, and other socioeconomic activities in several ASEAN countries.”
According to the weather outlook information, presented by ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), drier and warmer conditions in the southern ASEAN region were expected between Aug and Oct.
Haji Suhaimi said, the haze issue requires continuous and strong commitments to eradicate.
According to a media release, MSC countries pledged to remain vigilant and to monitor and step-up their haze preventive efforts, to minimise any possible occurrence of trans-boundary smoke haze during dry weather.– NNN-BB NEWS