Since becoming a member of the ASEAN in 1997, Myanmar has developed a closer and greater contact with the other ASEAN member countries through participation in regional programmes and projects, conferences, meetings, forums, workshops and training courses on various dimensions including economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects. This article is focused on the environmental dimension of ASEAN cooperation.

The ASEAN region, embracing ten countries in Southeast Asia is spectacular for its rich natural resources including large extent of rain forests; rich variety of flora and fauna; and extensive rivers, lakes and seas. However, these resources are now under threat owing to population and economic pressures. Moreover, the environmental quality in the region is deteriorating as a result of air, water and soil pollution. Although each country may have different environmental issues, most ASEAN member countries share common environmental problems. Realizing that collective and cooperative actions are crucial for addressing the environmental problems, ASEAN initiated a framework for environmental cooperation within the first years of its establishment. With the assistance of the United Nations Environmental Programme, ASEAN Subregional Programme (ASEP) was formulated in 1977 and was adopted in the following year by the ASEAN Experts Group on the Environment (AEGE). The first ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment endorsed the ASEP I in 1981. ASEP II and ASEP III were endorsed at the subsequent Ministerial Meetings on the Environment.

The current institutional framework for environmental cooperation in ASEAN consists of the ASEAN Ministers for the Environment with primary responsibility for policy matters related to the environment; the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) with responsibility for formulation, implementation and monitoring of regional programmes and activities on the environment [the AEGE was elevated in 1989 to become the ASOEN]; and the five subsidiary bodies to assist the ASOEN namely, the Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment, the Working Group on Multilateral Environmental Agreements, the Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, the Working Group on Water Resources Management, and the ASOEN Haze Technical Task Force. The ASOEN Secretariat coordinated and reports to ASOEN on all activities that do not fall within the purview of the respective working groups.

The ASEAN Environmental Ministers meet every three years on a formal basis, and since 1994 have met on an informal basis annually in between these formal meetings. The ASOEN also meet annually. The eighth ASOEN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (8th AMME) was held in Malaysia in 2000 and the Seventh Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (7th IAMME) was held in November 2002 in Lao PDR. ASEAN cooperation in general is guided by the ASEAN Heads of State/Government. At the ASEAN Summit meetings, the ASEAN Heads of State/Government provided the vision and broad strategic thrusts for ASEAN cooperation in various sectors including the environment. In 1998, the ASEAN Heads of State/Government adopted the ASEAN vision 2020. With respect to the environment sector, the Vision envisages a clean and green ASEAN with fully established mechanism for sustainable development to ensure the protection of the region’s environment, the sustainability of its natural resources and the high quality of life of its people. To ensure the realization of ASEAN Vision 2020, the Heads of State/Government adopted the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA) on 15 December 1998. The HPA sets out 15 objectives on environment addressing areas of Primary concern to ASEAN. In April 2000, the ASEAN Environment (SPAE) 1999-2004, which translates the 15 objectives of the HPA on environment into specific projects and activities based on set time frames and targets.

One of the major environmental issues in the region is the transboundary haze problem. In order to address the problem, the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution was adopted at the 9th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Haze (AMMH) held in Malaysia in June 2002.

With the aim of promoting environmental education in the region, the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan (AEEAP) was adopted at the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment in 2000. Moreover, in order to raise environmental awareness in the region, the first ASEAN Environment Year (AEY) was launched in 1995 in Thailand and the second AEY was launched in 2000 in Brunei Darussalam. The AEY-2003 was recently launched in Cambodia. Throughout the AEY, ASEAN countries undertake campaigns including seminars, workshops, exhibitions and contests. The theme for AEY 2003 is "Together Towards Sustainable Development".

The National Commission for Environmental Affairs (NCEA) is the national focal point for ASEAN environment cooperation in Myanmar. The Commission works closely with the ASEAN Secretariat to implement the ASEAN environmental activities. The NCEA collects and compiles environmental information and data relating to Myanmar for ASEAN State of the Environment Report and for other environment reports published by the ASEAN. Myanmar also participates in activities being carried out by the 5 Working Groups. Myanmar joined the other ASEAN member countries in celebrating the AEY 2000, and is now taking part in AEY 2003 activities such as Logo and Poster competitions, contribution of messages and information for AEY information kit and participation in the AEY 2003 launching ceremony. Myanmar has actively participated in formulating the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan and has presented project proposals at the third year review meeting of the AEEAP. Myanmar had signed the ASEAN Transboundary Haze Agreement and has sent the Instrument of Ratification to the ASEAN Secretariat.

It is Myanmar’s turn to host the 9th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment which is to be held during the first week of December this year.