Bangkok: The Minister of Foreign Affairs has countered accusations from the opposition party regarding the alleged lack of collaboration with neighboring countries to address the PM2.5 dust issue. The Minister highlighted ongoing cooperation with Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, emphasizing the launch of the Clear Sky Strategy since October of the previous year, with plans to continue leveraging international forums for support throughout 2024.
According to Thai News Agency, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Maris Sengiampong, addressed these claims during a no-confidence debate. The accusations were made by Mr. Phatthapong Leelaphat, a Member of Parliament from Chiang Mai representing the Prachachon Party. Mr. Sengiampong clarified that the government, alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Interior, has been actively pursuing a joint action plan. This plan, under the 'Clear Skies Strategy', involves collaboration with the Lao PDR and Myanmar, and extends to cooperation within the ASEAN framework, engaging dialogue partners like China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada.
The Minister elaborated on the Clear Sky Strategy's implementation, noting that a joint action plan was initiated in Bangkok, featuring participation from ministers of Thailand, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. This initiative is focused on addressing cross-border PM2.5 pollution through sustainable measures such as risk mapping, forest fire prevention, hotline establishment, and a monitoring mechanism for transboundary haze. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop a project promoting cooperation in innovation and technology with dialogue partners experienced in tackling such environmental challenges. In April, Thailand is set to host a Joint Task Force meeting to consolidate these efforts.
Further, the Minister discussed actions taken under the ASEAN cooperation framework, mentioning the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane and the Informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Langkawi Island, Malaysia, held earlier this year. A seminar on transboundary haze problem resolution was organized, bringing together experts from China, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and international organizations like the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) to share problem-solving experiences. The ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, spearheaded by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, remains a critical component of these efforts.
In terms of bilateral operations, the Minister emphasized collaboration with developed countries such as the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea through the Department of International Cooperation. This partnership aims to bolster the capacity of Lao officials in handling transboundary haze issues over a three-year period, beginning January 2024. Key activities include training, policy formulation, and the use of international satellite data. Additionally, a meeting with Cambodia on March 8, 2024, resulted in a proposal to establish a communication channel for information exchange on hotspots and fire extinguishing cooperation. Preparations are also underway for signing a memorandum of understanding between Cambodia's Ministry of Environment and Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment during an upcoming official visit by the Prime Minister on April 23-24.