15th ASEAN ministerial meeting on environment opens in Cambodia

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan, attended the events.

During the meetings, ministers of ASEAN member nations and representatives from the three partner countries of the group - China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) (ASEAN+3) - discussed a series of issues, including cross-border haze pollution which is seriously affecting many countries.

In his opening speech, Cambodian Minister of Environment Sam Samal affirmed through AMME15 and relevant events, ASEAN+3 member countries will enhance discussion and sharing of initiatives, as well as review their cooperation in areas related to the regional environment in order to realise goals in the seven strategic priorities on environment and seek new solutions to further promote partnership in the field.

As scheduled, after the events, ASEAN countries will consider and approve recommendations from the 30th ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting on Environment (July 8-12, 2019), which is considered to be ASEAN's joint statement at the 25th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP25) in Chile from December 2-13; and nominate ASEAN heritage parks and the ASEAN Strategic Plan on Environment (ASPEN).

Regarding cross-border haze pollution, spokesman of Cambodian Ministry of Environment Neth Pheaktra confirmed that this is a matter of special concern to delegates to the AMME15, and that they will discuss orientations to create a common mechanism for controlling the issue.

Cambodia will propose the establishment of joint forces of ASEAN member countries to support each other in dealing with forest fires occurring in any ASEAN country, thus minimising haze pollution.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Economic and Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth underlined the importance of promoting intra-group cooperation in addressing the problem.

He proposed a number of measures to combat climate change and protect the environment such as strengthening management and increasing resources in dealing with forest fires and cross-border pollution caused by smog.

It is necessary to expand cooperation between ASEAN and its partners in coping with sea debris, attach importance to the people's role in addressing climate change, and raise public awareness of the work in each country and the whole region, the official added.

(Source: NDO)