Politics · Other · 6 hrs ago
Singapore to push stronger regional action on haze as 2027 ASEAN chair
Singapore will push for stronger action on regional haze when it chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2027.
The region’s 2002 agreement on transboundary haze is its first legally binding pact focused on the problem.
Singapore also wants to establish a coordinating centre in Indonesia to help countries manage land and forest fires and the haze that crosses borders.
The centre can begin only after six ASEAN members ratify the agreement to establish it.
Singapore plans to submit its ratification in the next few days and will urge other members to do the same.
Some members have said they will raise the issue at upcoming regional meetings, where Singapore will share how it plans to act against companies responsible for haze.
Singapore and Indonesia have also announced a joint task force to investigate firms linked to forest fires.
Singapore says it will work with ASEAN members to strengthen implementation of the regional transboundary haze agreement when it chairs the bloc in 2027.
Environment Minister Grace Fu said Singapore will also work towards establishing an ASEAN haze control coordinating centre in Indonesia.
The centre is intended to improve cooperation on managing land and forest fires and transboundary haze.
The centre can come into force only after six ASEAN member states ratify its establishment agreement.
Singapore plans to submit its instrument of ratification in the next few days and encourage other members to do the same.
- Who
- Singapore, represented by Environment Minister Grace Fu, and other ASEAN member states.
- What
- Singapore plans to strengthen implementation of the transboundary haze agreement and work towards establishing a coordinating centre in Indonesia.
- When
- Singapore will take up ASEAN’s chairmanship in 2027. Fu announced the plans on Nov 3, 2026.
- Where
- The proposed coordinating centre will be in Indonesia.
- Why
- The centre is intended to strengthen cooperation in managing land and forest fires and transboundary haze.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
ASEAN adopted the Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.
Singapore and Indonesia announced a joint task force to probe firms linked to forest fires.
Grace Fu said Singapore would work to strengthen implementation of the haze agreement and establish a coordinating centre in Indonesia.
Singapore plans to submit its instrument of ratification for the centre’s establishment agreement.
- Incoming ASEAN chair
- Singapore, in 2027
- Proposed centre
- Indonesia
- Ratification threshold
- Six member states
- Agreement adopted
- 2002
- Joint task force announced
- Oct 27, between Singapore and Indonesia
3 sources
What people are saying
Singapore will support these discussions, and share how we intend to act against companies responsible for the haze
Singapore will submit our instrument of ratification for the establishment agreement in the next few days, and we will strongly encourage other ASEAN member states to do so