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Joint Press Statement Fifth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Haze
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 30 July 1998 |
- ASEAN Environment Ministers met in Malaysia on 30 July 1998 to review the progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Haze Action Plan. The Ministerial Meeting was preceded by the Ninth Meeting of the ASOEN Haze Technical Task Force on 29 July 1998.
- The Ministerial Meeting was attended by H.E. Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Wijaya Pengiran Dr. Haji Ismail bin Pengiran Haji Damit, Minister of Development, Brunei Darussalam; H.E. Dr. Panangian Siregar, State Minister for the Environment, Indonesia; H.E. Datuk Law Hieng Ding, Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Malaysia; H.E. Mr. Antonio H. Cerilles, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines; H.E. Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Health, Singapore; H.E. Mr. Boun Thong Vongsaly, Ambassador of Lao PDR to Malaysia; H.E. U Myo Myint, Myanmar Ambassador to Singapore; H.E. Miss Suchitra Hiranprueck, Ambassador, Royal Thai Embassy in Malaysia; Dr. Truong Manh Tien, Deputy Director-General of National Environment Agency, MOSTE, Vietnam and Dr. Filemon A. Uriarte Jr, Director of Functional Cooperation Bureau of the ASEAN Secretariat and their respective delegations.
- The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Datuk Law Hieng Ding, Minister of Science Technology and Environment, Malaysia.
Review of Current Situation
- The Ministers noted that the weather in the region has been wetter since the last AMMH in Singapore, and that there is a 65% probability of a weak-to-moderate La Nina occurring towards the end of the year. The Ministers agreed that despite the change in weather, ASEAN region should remain vigilant in its effort to prevent fires. The region should make use of this wetter period to put in place all necessary mechanisms to prevent and control fires in preparation for future dry seasons.
Regional Haze Action Plan (RHAP)
- The Ministers also reviewed the RHAP and noted that there has been further progress in the RHAP. They agreed that under the component of Preventive Measures, member countries need to complete the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) of their National Haze Action Plans (NHAP) to be incorporated into the RHAP and the DIP to include the additional funds and other resources required for the activities outlined in the Plan.
- The Ministers noted that ASMC will be acquiring a new NOAA satellite data reception and processing system by early next year. This will further strengthen ASMC's capability to support the RHAP in the area of early warning and surveillance on forest fires and haze.
- The Ministers noted that Indonesia is in the final stage of securing funds from the World Bank to prepare the design study for a Fire Fighting Research and Training Centre at Palangkaraja University in Central Kalimantan. This would assist the region to address the problem of forest fires on a long term basis. The Ministers acknowledged with appreciation the offer by Malaysia to Indonesia on the training programme in fire fighting.
- The Ministers noted the contributions from Norway and New Zealand amounting to US$320,000, and requested UNEP to channel the funds to the ASEAN Secretariat and make use of part of it for training purposes. With this additional funding, the training programmes for Indonesian firefighters should also be extended to other ASEAN member countries.
- The Ministers noted the follow-up Meeting to the MOU on Disaster Assistance and Cooperation agreed upon by Indonesia and Malaysia. It was agreed that a joint exercise be undertaken to enhance their fire-fighting capability.
- The Ministers took note of the trial run of the Operational Plan for Fire Surveillance in Riau Province, Sumatra which is being held from 27 July -12 August 1998. The Ministers also took note with appreciation the contribution made by Singapore on the communication equipment.
Working Group on Sub-Regional Fire-fighting Arrangements (SRFAs)
- The Ministers congratulated Indonesia for the success in operationalising the aerial surveillance for Riau under the SRFA for Sumatra. The Ministers took note of the three main areas of activities agreed upon by the SRFA for Sumatra namely, aerial and ground surveillance; provision to improve communication equipment in Sumatra; and training programmes for Indonesian Trainers and Fire-Fighters
- The Ministers also noted the initial surveillance trial run that was launched on 27 July 1998 and acknowledged with appreciation to the Government of Singapore for providing the communication and computer equipment in Sumatra.
- The Ministers noted the outcome of the Meeting of SRFA for Kalimantan and agreed that the name 'Kalimantan' be changed to `Borneo' to reflect the efforts of fire fighting arrangement which also covers Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak. The Meeting took note of the various activities recommended to be carried out by the Working Group and suggested that the Group prioritise their activities focussing more on fire fighting arrangements.
- The Ministers took note of the Joint Communique of the 31st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held in Manila, Philippines on 24-25 July 1998 which concurred with the decision that ASEAN member countries shall intensify co-operation to address transboundary environmental issues, with particular emphasis on the haze problem, including the implementation of the Regional Haze Action Plan, as well as the establishment of the Sub-Regional Fire-fighting Arrangements for Sumatra and Borneo.
International assistance
- The Ministers expressed their appreciation to UNEP for remitting to the ASEAN Secretariat some funding as an advance from the UNEP-GEF contribution.
- With regard to the 10 projects under the US Southeast Asia Environmental Initiative (SEA-EI), the Ministers requested detailed information on the projects in order to ensure that the region's priorities have been taken into consideration .
- The Ministers noted with appreciation the Australian Government's announcement of an A$660,000 assistance to Indonesia on fire fighting, A$250,000 funded through the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific) for improving meteorological services in ASEAN, and another A$100,000 for training courses in haze management.
- The Ministers noted the progress of ADB's assistance in support of the Regional Haze Action Plan, and urged the RETA (PMU) to ensure that the consultants work in tandem with the activities of the member countries.
- The Ministers agreed for RETA (PMU) to undertake a study on possible funding resources both within ASEAN and outside sources, to ensure long-term sustainability and continuity of SRFAs and implementation of the RHAP.
Date and venue of next meeting
- The next AMMH is scheduled on 4th September 1998 in Manila.
AMMH-press
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