As the sun sets over the Mekong River, a thick haze hangs low over the region, casting a pall of uncertainty on the future of this vital waterway. This was the scene that greeted Mr. Bolbongse Vangphaen, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, and his delegation from Thailand, as they arrived in Singapore and Indonesia for a high-level meeting aimed at strengthening cooperation under the CLEAR Sky Strategy.
The stakes are high in Southeast Asia's Mekong sub-region, where air pollution has become an increasingly pressing concern. According to a recent report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), haze-related health impacts in Southeast Asia result in significant economic losses and premature mortality, with a total of $1.5 billion lost annually due to haze-related mortality alone.
The trilateral partnership between Thailand, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Singapore, and Indonesia is part of a broader effort to address the region's air pollution crisis through sustainable practices and cutting-edge technology.
In 2024, the three countries launched the CLEAR Sky Strategy, which aims to reduce transboundary haze pollution in the Mekong sub-region by at least 50% by 2030. The strategy focuses on four key areas: green innovation, law enforcement, carbon markets, and international cooperation.
The Thai delegation's visit to Singapore and Indonesia marks an important milestone in implementing this strategy, with both countries agreeing to deepen their collaboration under the CLEAR Sky Strategy.
"The partnership between Thailand, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Singapore, and Indonesia is crucial for addressing air pollution issues in Southeast Asia," said Mr. Vangphaen. "We look forward to continuing our work together to create a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations."
The meeting was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Sustainability and Environment, Meteorological Service, ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre, Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency, Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG), and ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC).
Experts from the think tank the Energy Policy Institute at New York University described the region's haze crisis as a " pressing global health emergency".
"The partnership between Thailand and its neighbors is critical for mitigating the effects of air pollution on public health," said Dr. Robert Puentes, Director of Research and Analysis at the Energy Policy Institute at New York University.
In addition to discussing the implementation of the CLEAR Sky Strategy, the delegation also met with their counterparts from Singapore and Indonesia to discuss green innovation, law enforcement, and carbon markets.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed support for Thailand's efforts in addressing air pollution through sustainable practices. "We recognize that regional cooperation is key to tackling haze pollution," said a spokesperson.
Thailand has made significant strides in reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions, with the country aiming to become carbon neutral by 2050. However, more work needs to be done to address the region's overall air pollution crisis.
In Indonesia, officials from the Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency praised Thailand's efforts in promoting sustainable development. "We see great potential for cooperation between our two countries," said a senior official.
The meeting concluded with an agreement by all parties involved to strengthen their collaboration under the CLEAR Sky Strategy, marking an important step forward in addressing air pollution issues in Southeast Asia.
As the region looks towards a cleaner future, the success of this partnership will depend on its ability to foster cooperation, innovation, and collective action among its member states.