VIENTIANE (Xinhua): A consultation meeting was held on Wednesday in the Lao capital Vientiane, bringing together senior officials from Laos and Thailand to discuss measures to address transboundary smog pollution and reaffirm their commitment to improving air quality.
The meeting was attended by Lao Minister of Agriculture and Environment Linkham Douangsavanh and Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin, along with representatives from relevant sectors of both countries, Lao News Agency reported on Wednesday.
The meeting aimed to advance joint efforts in line with directives issued by the prime ministers of Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar to address cross-border haze pollution.
Participants also reviewed progress under an existing memorandum of understanding between Laos and Thailand and explored future cooperation strategies.
Key topics included the current PM 2.5 pollution situation in Laos and mitigation measures, preparations for upcoming regional meetings, and the implementation of the CLEAR Sky Strategy in Laos.
In his remarks, Linkham highlighted the importance of the CLEAR Sky Strategy (2024-2030), emphasizing that it focuses on five priority areas, including forest fire prevention and control, air quality monitoring and modeling, sustainable agriculture, enforcement of environmental laws, and improved coordination.
Looking ahead, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar will strengthen implementation of the strategy. Key priorities include intensifying forest fire prevention, reducing agricultural burning, expanding sustainable farming practices, and enhancing the capacity of officials at the central and local levels to monitor air quality and respond effectively.
PM 2.5 levels in Laos exceeded 100 micrograms per cubic meter across the country in early April, double the commonly accepted safety threshold of 50 micrograms, prompting the government to step up mitigation efforts.
The Lao government will continue working with all sectors and regional partners to curb pollution and safeguard public health. -- XInhua
