ASEAN Environment Ministers met in Kuching, Sarawak on 25 February 1998 and reviewed the progress of the December 1997 approved ASEAN Regional Haze Action Plan to address the problem of smoke haze in the region caused by land and forest fires. The Ministerial Meeting was preceded by the Sixth Meeting of the ASOEN Haze Technical Task Force on 24 February 98.

2. The Ministerial Meeting was attended by H.E. YAM Pengiran Indera Wijaya Pengiran Dr. Haji Ismail bin Pengiran Haji Damit, Minister of Development, Brunei Darussalam; 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. Mr 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; H.S. Mr Boun-Thong Vongsaly, Ambassador of Lao PDR to Malaysia; H.E. Jose S. Brillantes, Ambassador the Philippines to Malaysia; Mr. Nguyen Khac Kinh, Deputy Director-General of National Environment Agency, Vietnam and H.E. Mr. Rodolfo C. Severino Secretary General of ASEAN.

3. The one-day Meeting was chaired by Hon. Datuk Law Hieng Ding, Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment, Malaysia.

   Regional Haze Action Plan (RHAP)

4. The Ministers reviewed and discussed the progress of the implementation of the RHAP
   1. Preventive Measures (Coordinator: Malaysia)

      The Meeting also noted the continuous updating of the National Haze Action Plans which constituted the components of the RHAP. Two more plans have now been received which make up a total of six National Haze Action Plans. Member States are to intensify the public education campaigns on haze hazard through news media and district haze committees.

   2. Regional Monitoring Mechanisms (Coordinator: Singapore)

      The Meeting agreed that even though the experts in the ASMC Workshop held in Singapore, 9-10 January 1998, forecasted a likelihood of regional weather conditions reverting to normal dry conditions from May to October, the forecast should be taken with guarded optimism and that vigilance and alertness be maintained with respect to combat the fire and haze problem should they recur in the region.

   3. Fire-fighting Capability (Coordinator: Indonesia)

      Indonesia presented the latest development on the fire-fighting capability of all the ASEAN countries. On the inventory of fire-fighting capacity, the meeting noted that a questionnaire had been issued to all Members. It is anticipated that the inventory and mobilization plan would be completed by 31 March, 1998. The Meeting supported the establishment of a regional forest fire research and training centre in Indonesia and suggested that a study be included in the ADB-funded project being coordinated by the ASEAN Secretariat.

   Assessment of Current Situation

   The Meeting noted that the fires of East Kalimantan are of serious concern because of the prolonged dry weather and welcomed any immediate international assistance, especially in enhancing the fire fighting capacity.

   RHAP - Testing

   The Ministers agreed that we use the current fires in Kalimantan as an opportunity to test the components of RHAP, relating to cooperation in fire fighting. As such, Indonesia would identify priority areas needed to be mobilised and the national and international resources that could be made available. Further to the above institutional linkages such as the Disaster Relief Committees of the relevant Member States be strengthened and be put to test, and identify from the trial run any international assistance that would be needed. In this regard, the Meeting also urged Indonesia and Malaysia to activate the procedures and plans outlined in their MOU relating to fires and haze prevention and control, and help to identify the additional fire fighting resources needed.

   ADB Assistance

   The Meeting mandated the ASEAN Secretary-General to conclude the agreement with the ADB on the Regional Technical Assistance to enhance the capability of Member Countries to implement the RHAP as endorsed by the Haze Technical Task Force. The implementation of the project is scheduled to start in March 1998.

   Sixth ASEAN Summit

   The Ministers agreed to submit inputs on environmental matters for the Action Plan of the Vision 2020 Statement which will be considered at the Sixth ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam in December 1998.

   Date and Venue of the Next Meeting

   The next meeting of the AMMH will be held on 4 April 1998 in Brunei Darussalam. The Meeting was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN cordiality and solidarity.