Bilateral Commitments and High-level Engagements with Indonesia to Reduce Transboundary Haze Recurrence
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether Singapore will seek further bilateral commitments with Indonesia to strengthen upstream fire prevention and peatland management to reduce transboundary haze recurrence, raised by Ms Valerie Lee. In response, Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien referred to previous parliamentary replies outlining existing bilateral and regional haze mitigation measures with ASEAN member states. She highlighted that member states also collaborate through regional mechanisms, specifically the ASEAN Task Force on Peatlands under the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. Under the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy, countries pursue capacity building and technical cooperation on sustainable peatland management and upstream fire prevention. Ultimately, Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien noted that the region continues working toward a transboundary haze-free ASEAN by 2030 through a structured framework covering fire prevention, sustainable management, enforcement, resource mobilisation, and cross-sectoral cooperation.
Transcript
27 Ms Valerie Lee asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment following the recent haze episode; (a) whether Singapore will seek further bilateral commitments with Indonesia to strengthen upstream prevention of fires and peatland management; and (b) what specific outcomes or measurable commitments does the Government hope to secure through these diplomatic engagements to reduce the recurrence of transboundary haze.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The Member may wish to refer to the replies issued in Parliament on 12 February and 8 September 2026, which sets out the bilateral and regional haze mitigation measures that Singapore has in place with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. [Please refer to "Assessment of Transboundary Haze Episodes, and Review of Bilateral and Regional Haze-mitigation Measures", Official Report, 12 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 17, Oral Answers to Questions section; and "Cross-border Intervention Arrangements for Forest Fire-suppression Efforts", Official Report, 8 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 35, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
Beyond bilateral cooperation, ASEAN member states also collaborate on upstream fire prevention measures and sustainable peatland management through regional mechanisms. The ASEAN Task Force on Peatlands (ATFP), established under the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, coordinates regional efforts to promote sustainable peatland management and prevent peat fires that contribute to transboundary haze. Under the ATFP's ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy, ASEAN member states undertake capacity building and technical cooperation on sustainable management of peatlands and other upstream fire prevention measures. The region continues to strive towards a collective goal of a transboundary haze-free ASEAN by 2030, guided by a structured framework with relevant strategies, targets and indicators for fire prevention, sustainable land and peatland management, enforcement, resource mobilisation and cross-sectoral cooperation.