Indonesia has inaugurated the Secretariat Office of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC), a move aimed at curbing cross-border haze pollution caused by forest and land fires across Southeast Asia.
Transboundary haze pollution, largely driven by forest and land fires, has long disrupted public health, aviation, and economic activity across the region. The new secretariat aims to enhance ASEAN’s collective capacity to respond more swiftly and effectively to recurring haze crises.
The inauguration was led by Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH), at the Ministry of Environment’s office in East Jakarta.
“This is a symbol of the collective determination of ASEAN countries to achieve a haze-free region through stronger cooperation and faster response,” Hanif said, as quoted by Radio Republik Indonesia on April 22, 2026.
Strengthening ASEAN’s coordination framework
The ACC THPC operates under the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, a legally binding framework that commits member states to coordinated action in preventing and mitigating haze pollution.
The centre is designed to function as a regional command hub, facilitating real-time information sharing, coordinating cross-border firefighting efforts, and mobilising emergency assistance during major fire incidents.
Its role is expected to become particularly critical this year, as authorities anticipate heightened fire risks linked to an intensified El Niño cycle, dubbed “El Niño Godzilla” in recent official remarks.
Core functions of the centre
The ACC THPC is mandated to perform three primary functions:
- Monitoring and assessment: providing real-time data on fire hotspots and air quality
- Technical coordination: facilitating exchanges of expertise, technology, and firefighting capabilities
- Early warning systems: strengthening preventive measures during peak dry seasons
Together, these functions aim to shift ASEAN’s approach from reactive crisis management to more proactive risk mitigation.
Enhancing national and regional integration
The establishment of the secretariat in Jakarta is also expected to deepen coordination between Indonesian agencies and ASEAN partners. Key institutions involved include the National Disaster Management Agency, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Forestry.
Closer integration is seen as essential to ensuring that fire prevention and suppression efforts are aligned across borders, particularly in regions where haze impacts multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
Indonesia reaffirms commitment
Indonesia reiterated its commitment to reducing forest and land fires through stronger prevention measures, faster response mechanisms, stricter law enforcement, and ecosystem restoration initiatives.
The launch of the ACC THPC secretariat underscores Jakarta’s intention to play a more central role in shaping regional environmental governance.
Regional backing strengthens Indonesia’s leadership role
Support for the centre reflects a broader ASEAN consensus on the need for more institutionalised coordination. By hosting the secretariat, Indonesia is positioning itself as the region’s primary coordination hub for haze control.
Hanif emphasised that the centre will enable faster data exchange and more coordinated deployment of resources during emergencies, reinforcing ASEAN’s collective response capacity.
The initiative ultimately signals a renewed regional commitment to achieving a haze-free Southeast Asia, an ambition that has remained elusive despite decades of cooperation, but one that may gain new momentum through a more structured and operationally focused framework.