JAKARTA, Sept 6 — The Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC) was inaugurated as part of the agenda of the 43rd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Jakarta on Tuesday, reported ANTARA News Agency.
Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar said the establishment of the ACC THPC is based on an agreement reached at the 18th Convention of Parties Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (COP- AATHP) in Vientiane, Laos, on August 23, 2023.
“The success of Asean countries in establishing the ACC THPC is an initial step toward the development of an early warning system that is more innovative,” she said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
In addition, establishing the coordinating center is an initial step toward effective mobilisation of resources in the region and more coordinated efforts among Asean countries.
The establishment of the ACC THPC has been deemed a monumental achievement for Asean, which has been achieved with support from Asean leaders and the Asean Secretary-General.
The ACC THPC institution will be chaired by an executive director, supported by three subordinate departments: the monitoring and assessment division, technical cooperation division, and knowledge management division.
Bakar said the Indonesian government has continued to increase forest and land fire control by implementing a new paradigm for the 2016–2023 period.
Under the new paradigm, the government is prioritising prevention efforts, starting from policy determination, planning, budgeting, and improving preventive technology as well as efforts in the field with the involvement of all stakeholders.
The establishment of the ACC THPC is expected to support the implementation of the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution fully and effectively.
Through the ACC THPC, Asean member states can boost efforts to prevent, mitigate, and monitor transboundary haze with the aim of meeting the interests of the Asean community and achieving a haze-free Asean by 2030.
“Thanks to all Asean heads of state who have supported Indonesia to become the host of the Coordinating Center for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control,” the minister remarked.
— Bernama
