The 16th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, AMME 16 and the 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, COP 16 AATHP acknowledged the achievements and progress of regional cooperation efforts on a number of environmental issues. At the 2 day meeting hosted by Indonesia via video conference starting yesterday, the ministers also understood cooperation on several environmental issues, in particular the actions and initiatives taken on environmental sustainability in the region.
Brunei Darussalam’s delegation was led by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Ingeniur Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar, Minister of Development. The AMME 16 endorsed in principle Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN 2021 chairmanship initiatives of establishing the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam and the ASEAN Youth Climate Action, ASEANYouCAN. On the high and rapidly increasing levels of marine debris, the ministers stressed the need for ASEAN to be committed in implementing the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN Region and the ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris.
At the COP-16 AATHP, the meeting expressed concern over the smoke haze affecting various ASEAN countries in the past two years. Also agreed upon were the efforts to strengthen vigilance and take preventive measures and immediate fire suppression actions to mitigate land and forest fires and minimise the occurrence of transboundary haze during periods of drier weather, while combating the pandemic. The meetings were participated by Ministers responsible for the environment from ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretary-General.
Source: Radio Television Brunei