Manila: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will discuss transboundary haze pollution during foreign ministers' preparatory meetings in November, as smoke from forest and land fires in Indonesia continues to affect air quality across Southeast Asia.
The Philippines, which holds the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, has confirmed that the issue will be included on the agenda for the meetings ahead of the ASEAN summit. The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the effects of prolonged fires on public health, the environment and daily life across the region.
However, the announcement does not mean that ASEAN has agreed on new measures to address the crisis. The details of the discussions and any possible commitments have not yet been confirmed.
The haze has affected several countries, including Malaysia and Singapore. Forest and land fires in Indonesia, particularly in Sumatra and the Indonesian part of Borneo, have contributed to the regional pollution.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan has said that Malaysia will raise the issue with ASEAN. His remarks underline calls for stronger regional cooperation to address a problem that crosses national borders.
Hasan has also raised concerns about existing regional disaster response arrangements, saying they do not include haze. His comments have drawn attention to whether current cooperation mechanisms are sufficient to deal with prolonged episodes of smoke pollution.
Malaysia has taken steps to respond to the latest haze episode. On October 9, schools in several states and federal territories were closed after air pollution reached unhealthy levels. The closures disrupted normal activities and highlighted the effects of the crisis on communities outside Indonesia.
Singapore has also experienced poor air quality. At 3 pm on October 12, the country's 24 hour Pollutant Standards Index ranged from 109 to 149 across its five regions, placing readings in the unhealthy range. These measurements reflected conditions at that time and demonstrated the extent of the pollution affecting the city state.
Singapore has offered to assist Indonesia with firefighting if necessary. Grace Fu, Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, said she had been in contact with Indonesian Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat about the situation.
The offer highlights the importance of cooperation between neighbouring countries, particularly when fires in one country produce smoke that affects people elsewhere. However, an offer of assistance does not necessarily mean that a specific firefighting operation has been agreed or carried out.
ASEAN already has a regional framework for addressing transboundary haze pollution. The ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution provides a basis for cooperation among member states to prevent and reduce haze caused by land and forest fires.
On July 9, ASEAN held its 27th Meeting of the Sub Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Bali, Indonesia. Representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste attended the meeting, which reviewed regional cooperation and efforts to prevent haze.
Existing arrangements include cooperation on sustainable peatland management and other measures aimed at preventing fires before smoke spreads across national borders. ASEAN has set a regional goal of achieving a transboundary haze free region by 2030.
However, the continued haze problem highlights the challenges of turning regional agreements into effective action on the ground, particularly in areas where fires occur repeatedly.
Weather conditions could make the coming weeks particularly important. The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre has warned of a continuing risk of transboundary haze amid El Niño conditions, the possibility of below normal rainfall and higher temperatures across much of the region. These conditions can increase the risk of fires, although their effects will depend on local weather and other factors.
The consequences of the fires extend beyond air pollution. In Indonesian Borneo, residents have taken legal action against government officials and agencies over alleged failures to prevent and manage fires. These allegations have not been established as judicial findings. Fires have also threatened wildlife, including critically endangered orangutans that have required rescue and relocation.
The November meetings will give ASEAN ministers an opportunity to examine the continuing crisis and consider whether further measures are needed. Key issues include improving fire prevention, strengthening information sharing and coordinating responses when fires threaten neighbouring countries.
For communities affected by the haze, the main question is whether renewed diplomatic attention will lead to practical improvements. ASEAN already has agreements and cooperation mechanisms to address transboundary haze pollution, but the effectiveness of its response will depend on the decisions taken and the action that follows.