(KPL) Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone joined a virtual meeting with his counterparts from Thailand Prayut Chan-ocha and Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing on how to address cross-border smog situation on Apr 7.

The Prime Minister appreciated his Thai counterpart for proposing the tripartite meeting to be held.

He noted that smog situation in the region and the three countries is at alarming level, posing threats to people’s health and in need of urgent discussions, adding that the smog problem in the three countries comes from the same roots cause – slash and burn activities.

As for the Lao PDR smog has covered a large area of the country, with PM 2.5 readings standing high, exceeding standards in some areas.

The government has asked relevant ministries and local authorities to address the environment issue, attach attention to raising public awareness of the air pollution, its roots cause and health impacts, and promote public participation in addressing such environment issues.

The leaders exchanged points of view on the smog situation in their respective countries, and suggested prevention and control measures for the future.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone urged the three countries to continue to implement ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution and Roadmap on ASEAN Cooperation towards Transboundary Haze Pollution Control, adopt a tripartite action plan on smog prevention and control, and establish coordination units to be responsible for drafting and implementing the action plan.

He also urged his counterparts to establish technical cooperation mechanisms, and promote exchanges on smog prevention and control and public awareness of and participation in pollution prevention and control efforts.

The leaders agreed to promote stronger cooperation and work together with other ASEAN member states to address transboundary smog in an effective and sustainable manner, especially through implementing existing ASEAN agreements and plans of action.

KPL