Singapore to Lead ASEAN Haze Pollution Push in 2027
Singapore plans to strengthen transboundary haze agreements and establish a regional coordinating center in Indonesia during its 2027 ASEAN chairmanship.
The Government of Singapore will prioritize the implementation of a transboundary haze agreement during its 2027 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu announced plans to work with member states to establish the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control in Indonesia. The center requires ratification by six member states to become operational and will focus on peatland management and crop burning guidelines to address the root causes of regional haze.
These diplomatic initiatives come during a period of strained relations between Singapore and Indonesia. The Government of Indonesia recently cut gas supplies to Singapore and issued warnings to Muslim pilgrims against transiting through the city-state. Tensions have been further complicated by an unevidenced claim from a former Indonesian official that Singaporean sovereign wealth funds influenced MSCI to issue a warning regarding the downgrade of Indonesian stocks.
