# Singapore to Ratify Asean Haze Centre Agreement Before 2027 Chairmanship Singapore pushes for regional cooperation on transboundary haze as the Asean centre awaits ratification. - **Source:** [Eco-Business](https://www.eco-business.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-03 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/34681414-10b7-470b-b4e0-b728a69e47d2 ## Ratification Process Initiated Singapore will formally ratify the agreement establishing the Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control within days. This move precedes Singapore’s upcoming chairmanship of the regional bloc next year. The centre, designed to manage regional fire and haze cooperation, requires six member states to ratify the treaty before becoming fully operational. ## Operational Status Challenges Although the secretariat office opened in Jakarta this past April, the governing agreement remains inactive. The treaty requires six ratifications to take effect, a threshold not yet met by the bloc. Currently, the Asean Secretariat acts as an interim body, while member states like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand continue their domestic ratification processes. ## Indonesia's Sovereignty Stance Singapore recently offered civilian firefighting assistance and cloud seeding support to Indonesia to combat ongoing fires. However, Jakarta declined the offer on October 19, stating that foreign aid depends on a formal national-disaster declaration. Singapore maintains that it respects Indonesia's sovereignty and remains ready to provide support should preventive measures fail to suffice. ## Limitations of Regional Mechanisms The 2002 Asean haze agreement, in force since 2003, lacks punitive measures for non-compliance. Even when the new centre becomes operational, it will not override national authority. Member states must declare emergencies before requesting assistance, and the centre’s primary functions remain limited to data consolidation and coordinating expert rosters rather than direct enforcement. ## Domestic Legislative Updates Singapore is tabling amendments to its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act this Wednesday to strengthen domestic oversight. These changes would empower the National Environment Agency to mandate that companies appoint independent assessors to audit their supply chains. Failure to comply with these directives would constitute an offence, though no company has faced fines yet. ## Regional Diplomatic Pressure Malaysia has actively urged the bloc to revisit the 2002 agreement, arguing that current mechanisms are insufficient for haze-related disasters. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan plans to raise this issue at a meeting in Manila on November 12. Singapore has pledged to support these discussions and share strategies for holding responsible companies accountable for pollution. ## Historical Context of Delays The centre has faced significant delays since Indonesia and Malaysia competed to host it in 2015. Although members concluded the founding treaty in 2023 and signed it by May 2025, formal implementation has stalled. Previous attempts to launch the centre, including a 2023 summit event, occurred before all necessary legal ratifications were completed. ## Future Policy Implications As Singapore prepares for its 2027 chairmanship, the focus remains on sustainable land and peatland management to prevent fires. By pushing for ratification, Singapore aims to transition from interim administrative arrangements to a functional regional body. The effectiveness of these efforts will depend on collective political will and the enforcement of domestic laws. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.eco-business.com/news/singapore-to-ratify-long-delayed-asean-haze-centre-agreement-ahead-of-2027-chairmanship/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._