Cooperation in addressing the smoke haze problem is needed from all of Thailand’s neighbors. Most recently, more commitment to tackle the smoke haze and PM 2.5 problems has been made at the regional level, with Thailand being able to provide a valuable 7-day forecast of the PM 2.5 situation.
Pollution Control Department (PCD) Director-General Athapol Charoenshunsa represented the Thai delegation at the 22nd meeting of the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution, which was also attended by representatives from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore. Those at the remote conference session discussed the smoke haze situation in the lower ASEAN region and ways to mitigate transboundary haze pollution.
Weather models by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre predict weak to moderate La Nina conditions until March or April 2022 and an increased chance of above-normal rainfall from now until February 2022.
Thailand’s minister of Natural Resources and Environment has assigned the PCD to coordinate with counterparts in neighboring countries to step up prevention and mitigation efforts for transboundary haze. As Thailand is able to issue 7-day forecasts of the PM 2.5 airborne dust situation, there are plans to work with neighboring countries to use this advantage to augment the haze forecasting capability in the region.
Mr. Atthapol said ASEAN member countries have agreed to take initiatives in accordance with the ASEAN agreement on transboundary haze pollution, and link these initiatives to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. He said ASEAN nations would also place emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with pledges made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26).
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