Officials have been following up on initiatives carried out earlier this year under an agreement between Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar to tackle transboundary haze.
Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri noted major developments on transboundary haze collaboration resulting from the tripartite meeting of leaders from Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.
In April, Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha took part in an online meeting addressing transboundary haze with Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Myanmar leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Anucha explained that during this meeting, the three nations agreed to collaborate in addressing the haze issue. Tripartite meetings of senior officials from the three countries were held under a “Clear Sky Strategy” that aimed to reduce the overall number of wildfire hotspots.
Cooperation on the matter was promoted at all levels, using mechanisms available from the relevant border affairs committees of the three nations. Information was exchanged and collaborative efforts were undertaken to measure air quality. Officials also held workshops addressing open-air burning and air pollution, in addition to developing short, medium and long term plans to mitigate transboundary haze.
Anucha said Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs included the issue of transboundary haze in the Thai leader’s statement at the 42nd ASEAN Summit held from May 9-11, where Thailand proposed resolving the haze issue according to the “Clear Sky Strategy”.
Thailand for its part will emphasize increasing airborne dust tracing and pinpointing systems while considering potential measures to limit imports of agricultural products that exacerbates air pollution. (NNT)
