Home | Sitemap | Login

   

Peatland News

Title: ASEAN officials clear the air to implement pollution agreement
Date: 13-May-2006
Category: Vietnam-Ca Mau
Source/Author: Viet Nam News
Description: HA NOI — ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) officials have met in the capital to discuss measures to effectively carry out the agreement on transboundary haze pollution.

 


Fire-fighters are extinguishing fire in lower U Minh Forest in Ca Mau Province. Forest fire causes haze pollution which is severely harmful to human health. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hai

HA NOI — ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) officials have met in the capital to discuss measures to effectively carry out the agreement on transboundary haze pollution.

The two-day conference, which concluded yesterday, titled Promoting Partnership for Implementing the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution focused on the progress reached in implementing the agreement, strengthening partnership with relevant regional and international organisations and donor communities, and future co-operation in preventing and coping with challenges arising from forest fires and haze pollution.

At the conference, participants discussed the priorities of countries in implementing the agreement, sustainable use and management of peat land in Southeast Asia, and building up partnership and co-operation in the region.

The agreement, signed in 2002, contains provisions for monitoring, assessment and prevention, technical co-operation and scientific research, mechanisms for co-ordination, lines of communication, and simplified customs and immigration procedures for disaster relief.

The agreement also provides for the establishment of an ASEAN Co-ordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control.

Peat land and forest fires resulting in haze pollution have caused significant economic loss and affected the region’s rich biodiversity and human health.

Over the past two decades, fires and haze in the ASEAN region have been influenced by rapid demographic changes, increased human activities and changing climate.

Droughts combined with indiscriminate use of forest land for development and agricultural activities have impacted the society, economic activities and environment severely.

In view of the urgency and complexity of the issue, senior ASEAN officials in the Environment-Haze Technical Task Force, established in September 1995, have undertaken concerted efforts and developed a response strategy known as the Regional Haze Action Plan (RHAP).

The RHAP, established for strengthening the region’s capacity to address transboundary haze pollution, was endorsed by the ASEAN Environment Ministers in 1997.

The conference was co-organised by Viet Nam’s Natural Resources and Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and sponsored the by Vietnamese Government and ASEAN-UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Partnership Facility. 


Website (URL) http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=01ENV130506



[ Back ] [ Print Friendly ]