ASEAN haze crisis: why Indonesia must step up
The ASEAN region continues to struggle with transboundary haze caused by forest and peatland fires in Indonesia, despite long-standing agreements. Experts suggest that weak enforcement and a lack of regional sanctions are hindering progress toward the 2030 goal.
Why it matters
The haze crisis has significant health and environmental impacts across Southeast Asia, necessitating stronger regional cooperation and policy enforcement.
Children wearing face masks walk along a smoke-covered dirt road in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan province, on Oct 21.
Listen Summarise ASEAN has rules, monitors and funds to fight haze, but it missed its 2020 target. Experts say weak enforcement and no sanctions limit action. Indonesia is the key country. Fires there still drive regional haze, and officials and campaigners want stronger law enforcement, better land management and more accountability for companies. Bilateral help can work faster than ASEAN-wide action. Singapore and Malaysia have offered firefighting aid, but lasting progress needs prevention, early sharing of information and Indonesia’s consent. AI generated
JAKARTA – More than two decades after South-east Asian countries signed an agreement to tackle transboundary haze, smoke from forest and peatland fires in Indonesia continues to affect its neighbours.
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