Singapore eyes regional haze control centre in Indonesia as Asean chair

Singapore is set to strengthen its collaboration with Asean member states, particularly Indonesia, in tackling transboundary haze pollution when it assumes the chairmanship of the regional bloc next year, according to Environment Minister Grace Fu. The country aims to establish the Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control in Indonesia, which will enhance cooperation and coordination in managing land and forest fires and haze pollution.

Fu emphasized that the establishment of the centre will require six members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to ratify the agreement. Simultaneously, Singapore will collaborate with other member states to address the root causes of transboundary haze, such as peatland management and crop burning guidelines. The haze situation in Singapore has reportedly improved due to the weakening of the southwest monsoon, lighter winds, and increased rainfall expected in November.

However, tensions between Singapore and Indonesia have been heightened due to the wildfires, which have resulted in Singapore facing criticism and diplomatic challenges.

Brief written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.