Singapore to partner ASEAN on regional haze coordination centre

Singapore is stepping up its commitment to tackling haze pollution by working with other ASEAN nations to set up a dedicated regional coordination centre, with operations to be based in Indonesia.

The initiative reflects a shift towards more comprehensive regional cooperation on air quality management, moving beyond reactive responses to address underlying factors contributing to haze episodes. By establishing the centre within Indonesia—the nation most frequently cited as a source of transboundary haze—the effort aims to facilitate greater coordination and intelligence-sharing among member states.

The proposed centre is expected to serve as a hub for monitoring, data analysis, and collaborative action on haze prevention and mitigation. Such a structure would enable ASEAN nations to implement more targeted interventions and coordinate enforcement of environmental standards across borders.

The move comes amid growing regional concern about the health and economic impacts of haze, particularly during peak burning seasons. Singapore and other affected nations have repeatedly called for stronger measures to prevent agricultural burning and land-clearing practices that contribute to annual air pollution episodes.

Details regarding the centre's funding, operational framework, and specific mandate are expected to be finalised through ongoing discussions among ASEAN member states.