The ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution was signed in 2002 , spurred by the 1997-1998 haze episodes that transcended country borders. Since then, the MSC Countries have made positive moves to resolve this issue for the region by exploring initiatives to combat the decade-long forestfire problem, ranging from village-based workshops to multilaterial talks, as well as arranging for provincial authorities to work directly with other ASEAN member states.
During the 13th Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee, MSC Meeting on Transboundary Haze Pollution this morning, the Minister of Development in his welcoming remarks expressed hope that collaboration in all MSC countries have brought greatly desired results towards such issues. Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi added, Brunei Darussalam would like to express its support for MSC framework with the view to further enhance MSC Countries capability in tackling transboundary haze pollution problem.
The meeting was attended by Ministers from all Ministerial Steering Committee Countries namely Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The meeting discussed the report from the Technical Working Group on Transboundary Haze Pollution especially on the update of the fire and haze situation in all member states as well as the Mekong Sub-Region. In addition, they took note of the progress of Indonesia's comprehensive Plan of Action in dealing with transboundary haze pollution including the bilateral collaboration between Indonesia with Singapore and Malaysia. The meeting also discussed the progress report on cooperation projects with international partners mainly on the sustainable management and rehabilitation of peatland forests in Southeast Asia. The meeting took place at a hotel in Jerudong.