ASEAN Agrees on Science Cooperation and Fund Expansion to Combat Transboundary Haze

Malaysia proposed a science diplomacy and sustainable haze fund at the 27th MSC meeting in Bali, strengthening AATHP efforts. Members reaffirmed commitment to haze-free ASEAN by 2030, discussed rising hotspots, El Nino risks, SEA FDRS improvements, and agreed to expand the haze fund’s scope and governance. At the 27th Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) meeting in Bali, Malaysia—represented by Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup—proposed a science diplomacy initiative and a sustainable haze fund to reinforce the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP). Member states, including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and Timor-Leste, agreed to assess the feasibility of science diplomacy within existing or new AATHP mechanisms. They also reaffirmed commitment to the Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC) and welcomed progress under the Asean Investment Framework for Haze-Free Sustainable Land Management, supporting the goal of a haze-free Asean by 2030. The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported an 86% increase in hotspots in early 2026 compared to 2025, driven by hotter, drier weather. El Nino is expected to persist and intensify through August–September 2026, raising concerns over below-normal rainfall and heightened haze risks across the region. To address this, MET Malaysia highlighted advances in the Southeast Asia Fire Danger Rating System (SEA FDRS), including three new automated weather stations in Peninsular Malaysia, and the March 2026 launch of the Malaysian Community Multiscale Air Quality Model (MyCMAQ) for improved air quality forecasting and haze monitoring. The MSC meeting reaffirmed commitment to prevention, firefighting, and joint emergency response, guided by the Second Haze-Free Roadmap 2023–2030 and the SOP for Monitoring, Assessment and Joint Emergency Response (SOP MAJER). Members also agreed to explore expanding the Asean haze fund, broadening contribution sources and supporting scientific research through transparent governance. Looking ahead, the 21st AATHP Conference of Parties will be held in Da Nang, Vietnam, in October, while Malaysia will host the 28th MSC meeting in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, in June 2027. Separately, Malaysia and Indonesia held bilateral talks, agreeing to deepen cooperation on environmental and climate change issues, including continued efforts to monitor and prevent transboundary haze. Source : Malaysia proposes science diplomacy, sustainable haze fund to combat Asean haze