Thailand hosts regional haze pollution meeting

BANGKOK, June 2 (TNA) - Environment officials from five ASEAN countries discuss progress of ASEAN Trans-boundary Haze Free Roadmap in the 20th Meeting of the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Thailand yesterday. Experts from ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Center (ASMC), the European Union and Global Environment Center ASEAN countries also attended the meeting with ASEAN countries to assess the haze situation in the region. The meeting chaired by Thai Environment Minister Surasak Kanchanarat reviewed the progress of the roadmap towards achieving haze free region by the year 2020. ASEAN members ratified the roadmap in 2016, agreeing to implement measures and share information on haze problem. ASMC predicted low rainfall this year could result in more hot spots in Southeast Asia this year with recommendation for ASEAN countries to step measures to handle the situation. The meeting agreed that speedy completion of an ASEAN coordination center in Indonesia would lead to more effective haze eradication. They acknowledged that Brunei will host the 21st meeting next year. (TNA)