Malaysia proposes regional haze fund and scientific cooperation
Malaysia will pursue its proposals at a December meeting and through its leadership of an ASEAN haze committee in 2027.
Malaysia has proposed a Sustainable Haze Fund and closer scientific collaboration to improve ASEAN’s response to cross-border haze. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan outlined the proposals at a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Manila on November 14, 2026.
Mohamad said the initiatives, including Science Diplomacy, were intended to strengthen joint scientific work, provide sustainable financing and support coordinated action. He urged the bloc to act earlier and work more closely together, with effective implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution underpinning its efforts.
He warned that worsening air quality threatened health, livelihoods and everyday activities, with vulnerable groups particularly exposed. Some areas had recorded unhealthy or hazardous conditions, he said.
Mohamad also sought ratification of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control, saying it needed to become operational quickly to improve readiness and response. He thanked Indonesia for efforts to control fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, while acknowledging challenges from El Nino, unpredictable weather and remote locations.
Malaysia intends to advance the proposals at the haze agreement’s Conference of the Parties in December and during its 2027 chairmanship of the Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution, he said.
