The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit was held in Melbourne on 4-6 March 2024.
If attendees had cast an eye over NASA's regional map before the various events, they would have seen a region consumed by agricultural burning-off and forest fires. It might have provoked the odd question of leaders attending the Summit.
Fires across South East Asia are an annual event which choke the region and affect the health of tens of millions of people. During this time, the level of fine inhalable particles is many times higher than the WHO recommended level, resulting in increased respiratory-related illnesses.
While Thailand has a new draft Clean Air Act approved by Cabinet, each year politicians make broad statements about tackling air pollution and invoke feel good but otherwise useless temporary measures such as spraying water mist into the air.
Much of the air pollution is linked to agricultural burn-off, particularly in the sugar cane sector. Burning off is a cheap solution where farmers don't have the financial resources for more environmentally friendly farming practices. Some change is occurring. Another significant air pollution source is deliberately lit forest fires.
A key issue is enforcement of existing laws. Closer regional co-operation is also needed.
There is a brief mention of regional air pollution or 'transboundary haze pollution' in Item 42 of the Melbourne Declaration.
In a somewhat woolly statement, the ASEAN leaders look forward to exploring cooperation in addressing transboundary haze pollution, including the establishment and operationalisation of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACCTHPC).
While ASEAN leaders kick the issue down the road and hold hands in Melbourne, people in South East Asia choke through another smog-filled day.
NASA Fire Information for Resource Management System
March 2024
© PELEN 2024
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