ASEAN Environment Ministers met in Singapore on 22-23 December 1997 and adopted an ASEAN Regional Haze Action Plan to address problem of smoke haze in the region caused by land and forest fires. The Ministerial Meeting was preceded by the Fourth Meeting of the ASOEN Haze Technical Task Force on 20-21 Dec 97.

2. The Ministerial Meeting was attended by H.E. Mr Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, State Minister for the Environment, Indonesia; H.E. Datuk Law Hieng Ding, Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment, Malaysia; H.E. U Ohn Gyaw, Chairman of the National Commission for Environmental Affairs and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Myanmar; H.E. Yeo Cheow Tong, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Health, Singapore, H.E. Mr Porntep Techapaibul, Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Environment, Thailand; Mr Kobkeo Luangkhot, Cousellor of Embassy of Lao PDR; Dr Marlito Cardenas, Director of the Environmental Management Bureau, the Philippines; Dr Truong Manh Tien, Deputy Director-General of National Environment Agency, Vietnam and Mr Immanuel Robert Inkiriwang, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN.

3. The two-day Meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Health, Singapore.

Outcome of the Ministerial Meeting

4. The Ministers had extensive discussions on the haze problem. During the Meeting, the Ministers:

• noted that the smoke haze experienced by the region in 1997 was the most extensive in ASEAN's history, affecting millions of people in the region, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore;

• were pleased with the fact that the traditional ASEAN spirit of co-operation, solidarity and understanding had continued to prevail even during the most difficult haze period;

• agreed that the region's joint effort to combat fires and smoke haze had in fact helped to bind ASEAN member countries even closer together;

• affirmed that ASEAN member countries would continue to protect the environment in their pursuit of economic development, while at the same time work closely to prepare for future environmental challenges, especially those arising from the effect of climate change; and

• noted that the convening of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Haze, well in advance of the next dry season, demonstrated the region's commitment and determination to work together to address the smoke haze problem

5. Indonesia expressed her appreciation to her fellow ASEAN member countries for their understanding and assistance during the smoke haze period.

6. The Meeting expressed appreciation for the co-operation rendered by countries outside ASEAN, which had contributed significantly towards the region's efforts in combating fires and haze.

Regional Haze Action Plan

7. The Ministers agreed to intensify co-operation and develop measures to prevent a recurrence of smoke haze.

8. To this end, the ASEAN Regional Haze Action Plan sets out concrete co-operative programmes to address the smoke haze problem arising from land and forest -fires. The Action Plan, as presented in the Annex calls for specific measures to:

• prevent land and forest fires through better management policies and enforcement, and intensified public education programmes;

• establish operational mechanism to monitor land and forest fires; and

• strengthen regional land and forest fire fighting capability.

9. The Ministers agreed that Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia will continue to spearhead and co-ordinate the three main areas of work namely Malaysia on preventive measures; Singapore on monitoring measures; and Indonesia on strengthening fire fighting capability.

10. The next ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Haze would be held in Kuching, Malaysia on 25 February 1998.

11. The Ministerial Meeting was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN cordiality and solidarity.