December 22, 2024 | 22:33 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Sunday- 11:10, 03/12/2023

Cross-border control, aiming towards a haze-free ASEAN

(VAN) Mekong sub-region countries discussed and made important decisions on haze pollution management and control, aiming towards a haze-free ASEAN.
z4929772827319_735b38f7150c18206f09798f1a8f087f-173117_742-200223

The conference agreed to establish the ASEAN Coordination Center for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control and expected the centre to operate effectively. Photo: PC.

On November 30, in Nha Trang City, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development coordinated with the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee and relevant parties to organize the Twelfth meeting of the Sub-regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution in the Mekong Sub-region. The conference was attended by leaders of five Mekong sub-region countries including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

The conference was organized to share knowledge, and experience, discuss solutions, and make important decisions related to forest fire and peatland fire management issues, as well as managing and controlling haze pollution in Mekong sub-region countries in particular and the ASEAN community in general, aiming towards a haze-free ASEAN.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Quoc Tri said: We need to strengthen forest fire prevention and fighting, promote monitoring and early warning. This is a top priority to minimize the occurrence of transboundary haze pollution. In addition, Vietnam commits to devoting all necessary resources to well-implement activities on sustainable forest management, protection and development of forest resources.

“To cope with unusual weather developments, especially the impact of El Nino, Vietnam calls for comprehensive cooperation from countries in the Mekong sub-region, with the joining hands of donors and international organizations to act together for an ASEAN community that always has a clean environment and sustainable development", Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Quoc Tri said.

Countries in the Mekong sub-region discussed and made important decisions on haze pollution management and control, towards a haze-free ASEAN. Photo: PC.

Countries in the Mekong sub-region discussed and made important decisions on haze pollution management and control, towards a haze-free ASEAN. Photo: PC.

At the conference, countries discussed and shared initiatives to minimize forest fires, and peatland fires and control haze pollution in the dry season. In addition, countries also emphasized the importance of action-oriented programs as well as the role of local communities in the prevention, control, reduction and treatment of transboundary haze pollution.

At the same time, the conference also proposed a second roadmap for ASEAN cooperation towards controlling transboundary haze pollution, the second ASEAN peatland management strategy and implementation measures, as well as the ASEAN investment framework for haze-free sustainable land management.

The conference also agreed to establish the ASEAN Coordination Center for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control and expected the centre to operate effectively. In addition, there will be a mid-term review of the roadmap to check progress and maintain momentum to ensure the achievement of the haze-free ASEAN goal by 2030.​

Author: Phuong Chi

Translated by Hoang Duy

How sustainable food producers are shaping the future of agriculture in Saudi Arabia

How sustainable food producers are shaping the future of agriculture in Saudi Arabia

(VAN) Achieving food security and sustainability is a top priority for Saudi Arabia as it works toward building a more inclusive economy.

Tien Giang urges investment to encourage development of coconut industry

Tien Giang urges investment to encourage development of coconut industry

(VAN) Tien Giang province is actively inviting domestic and international investors to explore opportunities in its burgeoning coconut industry, which boasts significant untapped potential.

Xi urges deepening rural reform, building up strength in agriculture

Xi urges deepening rural reform, building up strength in agriculture

(VAN) Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged further deepening rural reform and making solid advances toward the goal of building up China's strength in agriculture.

Alarming soil degradation in the Central Highlands: Solutions to improve soil health

Alarming soil degradation in the Central Highlands: Solutions to improve soil health

(VAN) Recovering degraded soil is a prolonged, enduring process that demands solutions on mechanisms, policies, infrastructure investment, science technology and agricultural extension, etc.

Cooperatives are the ‘key’ to restructuring agriculture

Cooperatives are the ‘key’ to restructuring agriculture

(VAN) It can be affirmed that cooperatives are a key factor in helping Dong Thap Province restructure its agricultural sector, aiming for sustainable production and adaptation to market demands.

Alarming soil degradation in the Central Highlands: Over 20% of severe and extreme degraded

Alarming soil degradation in the Central Highlands: Over 20% of severe and extreme degraded

(VAN) The Central Highlands will experience a variety of negative consequences if they fail to implement comprehensive solutions to preserve soil resources, which will increase the area of degraded land.

Rabobank sees challenging ag environment in 2025

Rabobank sees challenging ag environment in 2025

(VAN) The anticipated tariff disputes, led by the incoming Trump administration in the United States, are set to target imports from China, Mexico, Canada and many other countries.

Read more