A. Policies

1. Introduce policy measures and promote institutional development that will encourage the integration of environmental factors in all developmental processes;

2. Work closely on the interrelated issues of environment and development;

3. Cooperate in setting basic environmental quality standards and regulations at national level, working towards harmonized environmental quality standards in the region, and adopting long-term quantitative goals relating to ambient air quality and river water quality; and

4. Harmonize policy directions and step up operational and technical cooperation on environmental matters such as transboundary air and water pollution, natural disasters, forest fires, oil spills, and the transboundary movements and disposal of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes, and undertaking joint actions to address the Anti-Tropical Timber Campaign.

Encourage greater information and data exchange, particularly in air and water quality as well as greenhouse gas monitoring. C. Institutional Development

1. Strengthen the institutional and technical capability of national agencies to enable them to effectively integrate environmental considerations into development plans;

2. Cooperate in capacity-building of national institutions responsible for the environment through regional training assistance programmes, regular exchange of information and management of data and a cyreater exchange of visits among officials and experts; and

3. Cooperate in providing adequate training at all levels in public and private sector organizations, including NGOS, with the aim of improving their environmental management expertise and skills.

1. Continue to enhance cooperation in the field of environmental technology through sharing of technical information, initiating joint training and research programmes, and exchange of expertise in environmental management and technology; and

2. Promote the application of appropriate and environmentally sound technologies, as well as encourage support from the business sector and the public for clean production and industrial practices.

Continue to promote public awareness of environmental issues so as to bring about broader participation in environmental protection efforts, and to do so through greater exchange of information and experiences on approaches and strategies in environmental education.

F. Programmes

Develop and implement specific programmes relating to haze caused by forest fires, air and water quality management, natural resources and environmental accounting, environmental economics, trans-frontier parks and other protected areas, a regional network for biological diversity conservation and protection of the marine environment in ASEAN seas.

In adopting strategies to address development and global environmental issues, ASEAN shall take an active part in international efforts to protect the global environment. In addition to financial assistance for the environment, the need for developed countries to assist developing countries in transferring and providing access to environmentally- sound technologies has been emphasized. ASEAN shall explore the desirability of having flag states to contribute and help ensure safe navigation while protecting the marine environment. Lastly, the promotion of greater cooperation among and between developing countries in the field of environment and development, through information exchange and the sharing of experience and expertise shall be pursued.

Environmental Cooperation with Dialogue Partners

Cooperation in the environment has increasingly become one of the priority thrusts of Dialogue Partner programmes for ASEAN. As a result of the Mid-Ten-n Programme Review of the ASEAN-Australia Economic Cooperation Programme Phase 11 (AAECP 11) conducted in 1992, the Australian Government has indicated, among others, its strong commitment to support ASEAN in the environmental sector. This commitment to regional environmental cooperation is reflected as one of the main objectives of the AAECP Phase III (1994-1998). The AAECP will have projects that focus on technology transfer, including through applied research and development, in agreed sectors such as, environmental management or specifically, marine science; energy efficiency, conservation and demand management; and industrial waste management. Among the two programme planning workshops for AAECP 111, one is dedicated to the environment and telecommunication sector. Project proposals for the environmental sector are being prioritized and appraised for implementation to commence in June 1994.

The 8th Meeting of ASEAN-Canada Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of April 1993 agreed to explore an action programme to intensify cooperation in the environment. ASEAN has outlined its priority areas relating to capacity building and transfer of environmental technology, development of regional environmental technology, and development of regional environmental quality standards along the following thematic areas: (1) marine environment protection; (2) environmental economics; (3) nature conservations (4) environmental management; (5) transboundary pollution; (6) environmental information, education and public awareness; and (7) activity areas arising from UNCED.

In cooperation with the US, ASEAN began the task of formulating the framework for the Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP) as agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between ASEAN and the US in August 1992.

At the 4th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN) held in Bangkok on 6-8 July 1993, the World Wildlife Fund as the initiator of the ASEAN Sub-regional Environment Trust (ASSET) has offered a grant to carry out feasibility studies on the conservation of biodiversity.

Intra-ASEAN Cooperation on Environment

Although the ASOEN were unable to meet during the period, the Working Group on Environmental Economics held a meeting in Bali, Indonesia from 28 December 1992 to 19 January 1993. Meanwhile, the activities of other Working Groups continued to progress.