Indonesia Inaugurates ASEAN Cross-Border Haze Command Centre
Indonesia has inaugurated a regional command centre for controlling cross-border haze pollution in ASEAN. This command centre was established to accelerate coordination in handling forest and land fires in the region.
Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated that the presence of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control secretariat represents a concrete commitment from Indonesia. This facility serves as a hub for cross-country response coordination.
“This is a symbol of the collective determination of ASEAN countries to realise a haze-free region through more solid cooperation and faster responses,” said Hanif on Wednesday (22/4/2026).
The command centre was formed under the framework of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. Its functions include coordinating the handling of forest and land fires that have cross-border impacts.
Through this centre, data exchange and emergency aid mobilisation will be carried out more quickly. The system is also expected to strengthen responses to fires during the dry season.
The Ministry of Environment stated that the centre has three main functions. First, monitoring through real-time hotspot and air quality data.
Second, technical coordination between countries, including the exchange of experts and firefighting technology. Third, an early warning system to prevent fire escalation.
This secretariat, located in Jakarta, will also integrate national systems with those of ASEAN countries. Cross-institutional collaboration is considered important to accelerate handling.
Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to suppressing forest fires through prevention and law enforcement. This step also strengthens Indonesia’s position in regional leadership.
With the operationalisation of this centre, ASEAN is expected to be able to reduce the extent of fires and the impact of haze pollution. Health, environmental, and economic risks in the region are hoped to be minimised.