Asean deepens green partnership

Partners for the planet: European Commissioner for Environment, Water, and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall (second from right) with European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Bastiaan Hoekstra (centre) arriving for the 18th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Environment at Langkawi International Convention Centre. — Bernama

LANGKAWI: Asean will deepen cooperation with China, Japan and South Korea to tackle shared environmental challenges, inclu­ding climate change and waste management.

Acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the region continues to grapple with climate change, biodiversity loss, marine plastic pollution, transboundary haze and the urgent need to adopt circular economy solutions.

“These challenges cut across borders and demand collective action, solidarity, and innovation.

“Over the years, the Asean Plus Three framework has served as a vital platform for dialogue, cooperation, and partnership in ad­­dressing these issues,” he said when chairing the 19th Asean Plus Three Environment Minis­ters’ Meeting (EMM) here yesterday.

Johari cited initiatives such as the Asean Plus Three Marine Plastic Debris Cooperative Action Initiative, Asean Plus Three Lea­dership Programme on Sustai­nable Consumption and Pro­duction, capacity-building programmes, and support for Asean’s environmental strategies, as examples of the Plus Three partners’ steadfast commitment to advancing regional sustainability.

Greener ties: Johari speaking during the Asean-EU Ministerial Dialogue on Environment and Climate Change in conjunction 18th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Environment in Langkawi. — Bernama

Held on the sidelines of the 18th Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, the EMM brought together ministers from all Asean nations as well as representatives from the three partner countries.

China was represented at the meeting by Ecology and Environ­ment Ministry deputy director-­general Dandan Cui, Japan by Environment Minister Keiichiro Asao, and South Korea by its Environment Ministry deputy director-general Leejae Jang.

The 19th EMM, Johari said, would review cooperation progress and exchange views on emerging environmental issues.

“We will also chart practical and forward-looking pathways to strengthen the collaboration,” he said.

The upcoming 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur this October are expected to be among the largest in the grouping’s history.

As this year’s Asean Chair, Malaysia is hosting the summit under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.