Together as one: Johari (sixth from left) posing with fellow representatives during the 20th Conference of Parties to the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. — Bernama
LANGKAWI: Asean will take a stronger stance in global climate change discussions and ensure the relevance of implementing multilateral environmental agreements in the region, says Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
The acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said environment ministers from Asean countries have endorsed the Asean Joint Statement on Climate Change to the 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (U CCC COP30).
“This will be considered at the 47th Asean Summit to be held in October.
“The meeting also looked forward to the first Asean Pavilion at U CCC COP30 in November in Belem, Brazil, which will serve as a powerful demonstration of Asean’s unwavering commitment to taking meaningful action on climate change,” Johari said after chairing the two-day 18th Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME-18) here yesterday.
He added that the meeting also approved the designation of six new Asean Heritage Parks, namely the Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve, Bako National Park and Lambir Hills National Park in Malaysia; and Pu Mat National Park, Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve and Xuan Thuy National Park in Vietnam.
After AMME-18, the ministers attended the 20th Conference of Parties to the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (COP-20 AATHP).
Johari, who also chaired COP-20 AATHP, said Malaysia will lead two of the seven environmental sub-committees.
“Malaysia will chair the sub-committee on nature, conservation and biodiversity, as well as the sub-committee on chemicals and waste.
“The Philippines will chair the sub-committee on coastal and marine environment; Laos on water resources; and Cambodia on environmentally sustainable cities.
“Singapore and Thailand will jointly head the sub-committee on climate change, while Vietnam will chair the sub-committee on environmental education and sustainable consumption,” he said.
Johari added that based on the Southeast Asia Fire Danger Rating System assessment, there is a risk of escalating hotspot activity that could contribute to transboundary haze if limited rainfall persists in the coming weeks.
“This situation may extend into September as the region continues to experience dry season conditions,” said Johari.
He also said Asean environment groups have agreed to cooperate with Japan, China, the Republic of Korea and the European Union on climate change and other environmental initiatives.
The 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, scheduled for October in Kuala Lumpur, are set to be among the largest in the grouping’s history.
Malaysia, as this year’s Asean chair, will host the summit under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
