Singapore Vows to Push for Stronger Action on Haze When It Chairs ASEAN in 2027
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Singapore has said it will push for stronger action against transboundary haze when it becomes chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2027. The minister said the country will work with other ASEAN member states to improve how an agreement on transboundary haze is carried out.
Transboundary haze is smoke and air pollution that crosses national borders. It is often caused by forest and peatland fires in parts of Southeast Asia, and the smoke can travel to neighbouring countries. When the haze is severe, it can reduce air quality, affect people's health, and disrupt daily life in the affected areas.
The agreement on transboundary haze is a regional arrangement that ASEAN members have signed to deal with this problem together. Singapore's plan focuses on making sure that the agreement is not only signed but also put into practice. This means that member states would need to cooperate more closely to prevent fires and respond to smoke when it appears.
As ASEAN chair, Singapore will have a leading role in setting the regional agenda and guiding discussions among member states. Readers in Singapore should note that the haze issue remains important for them, since smoke from the region can affect air quality at home. Further details about the specific measures Singapore will propose have not yet been announced.
Sources: Reuters
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