Opening Remarks

by H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa

Minister of Foreign Affairs

for the “Launch Ceremony of the Joint Plan of Action –

CLEAR Sky Strategy”

Tuesday, 29 October 2024 at 14.00-14.30 hrs.

Vithes Samosorn Hall,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

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His Excellency Dr. Chalermchai Sri-on (เฉลิมชัย ศรีอ่อน), Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Kingdom of Thailand,

Her Excellency Mrs. Bounkham Vorlachit (บุนคำ วอละจิด), Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,

His Excellency Mr. Khin Maung Yi (คิน หม่อง ยี), Union Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good afternoon and a warm welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. The presence of Your Excellencies the Environment Ministers of
   Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand shows the continued joint commitment and political will of our three countries to fight transboundary haze pollution.
3. The Joint Plan of Action under the CLEAR Sky Strategy was born out of the necessity and urgency in addressing the rising PM2.5 levels in our region. And this stems from many sources, including industry, transport, and in particular, forest fires and agricultural burning. In response, the Leaders of the three countries held discussions in April 2023 and agreed to join hands to take concrete action under the CLEAR Sky Strategy by developing a Joint Plan of Action.
4. As we approach the end of the year and temperatures begin to drop, we can expect PM2.5 levels to rise again. Therefore, today’s launch of the Joint Plan of Action is timely. And I am confident that it will contribute to our efforts to address the issue in the region, and to global efforts. It will also help us to harness cooperation with partners around the world.
5. So what actions has our region been taking? At the bilateral level,
   the three countries have been cooperating on developing a fire risk map and capacity-building, and we intend to do more.
6. At the subregional level, our three countries have been undertaking cooperation programmes through a web of frameworks such as the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) framework, the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). Thailand will advocate for more collective initiatives to address the issue.
7. At the regional level, ASEAN has made consistent efforts to address the issue of haze through the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution and the related Ministerial-level mechanisms. We have also discussed transboundary haze pollution with Dialogue Partners on a regular basis, seeking cooperation, especially on innovation to help address the issue.
8. And for Thailand, addressing the issue of transboundary haze pollution, especially PM2.5, is a national agenda of priority. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (แพทองธาร ชินวัตร) declared in her policy address to Parliament that promoting public awareness and stakeholder participation in this effort are crucial. The Thai Government is also in the process of drafting the Clean Air Act.
9. So, Ladies and Gentlemen, actions are being taken, but certainly more can be done. And the Joint Plan of Action we launch today will help advance our collective efforts. We would welcome ideas on how to make the best use of the Joint Plan of Action in the Seminar to follow. These can touch on issues such as financial and technological support, and law enforcement.
10. Before I conclude, I would like to express my appreciation to the Environment Ministries of Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Thailand for their efforts and commitment to the implementation of the Joint Plan of Action. I also wish to thank the Embassies of Indonesia, Singapore, and China for making this event possible, as well as the World Bank, the World Health Organization, GIZ, and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center for their support and participation.
11. Clear skies in the subregion and a haze-free ASEAN are possible. It is up to all of us. And given the commitment and spirit of cooperation that we see here today, we are off to a good start together.
12. Thank you.

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