Embassy Attends Inauguration of ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Secretariat Office

Indonesia has inaugurated the Secretariat Office of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control in Jakarta, marking a significant step in regional efforts to combat cross-border haze pollution.

The official opening took place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s headquarters in East Jakarta. The ceremony was presided over by Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, who emphasized the initiative as a reflection of ASEAN’s collective commitment to addressing transboundary haze through stronger cooperation and faster response mechanisms.

According to Minister Hanif, the establishment of the secretariat symbolizes the shared determination of ASEAN member states to achieve a haze-free region. He stated that the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC) will serve as a regional command center for managing forest and land fires with cross-border impacts, operating under the framework of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.

The inauguration was attended by diplomatic representatives from across the region, including the Embassy of Malaysia in Jakarta. The Malaysian Embassy confirmed its participation through official social media channels, noting that its staff were honoured to attend the event. Similar acknowledgments were made by other diplomatic missions present at the ceremony.

The ACC THPC Secretariat Office is intended to enhance coordination among ASEAN countries in monitoring, preventing, and responding to haze episodes caused by peatland and forest fires. By centralizing information sharing and joint response planning, the center aims to reduce the frequency and severity of transboundary haze events that have affected countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei in past years.

Indonesia’s role as host of the ACC THPC secretariat underscores its continued leadership in regional environmental initiatives. The country has faced recurring challenges related to land and forest fires, particularly during dry seasons, which have led to significant air quality degradation across Southeast Asia. The new secretariat is expected to support more timely interventions and improved data exchange between member states.

As of the date of the inauguration, the ACC THPC secretariat is now operational and begins its mandate of facilitating dialogue, technical cooperation, and coordinated action among ASEAN nations on haze pollution control. Further details on specific programs, staffing, or operational procedures were not disclosed in the available official statements.