Prevent transboundary haze air pollution

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Smoke haze levels tend to rise due to intense heat during March, April, and May each year. In years with extremely hot and dry weather conditions, fire hotspots occur more frequently. To effectively prevent and control transboundary haze pollution along the Myanmar-Thailand border, relevant authorities from both countries are making concerted efforts to implement measures aimed at reducing cross-border smoke haze.
Transboundary haze air pollution is a frequent occurrence among neighbouring countries that share borders. To reduce fire hotspots and control cross-border haze pollution, priority areas are designated based on the number and density of fire hotspots in the respective regions and states. Continuous efforts must be undertaken, including shifting from slash-and-burn cultivation to highland farming, producing organic fertilizer from agricultural waste, preventing the careless use of fire in forests, and establishing response plans in the event of haze pollution.

Smoke haze air pollution severely affects public health; therefore, more effective approaches must be sought to successfully implement measures for reducing fire hotspots and controlling haze pollution as a national responsibility. Awareness-raising activities are being carried out by the Ministry of Border Affairs. Such awareness-raising programmes on the prevention of transboundary haze pollution have been conducted at departments and schools.

Smoke haze is mainly caused by the burning of fields after harvest in shifting cultivation areas and by forest fires. Each year, particularly in March and April, people in the border areas of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos experience the impacts of air pollution. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) present in the haze can lead to respiratory problems, eye irritation, and lung diseases, posing particular risks to children and the elderly.
In Myanmar, the average annual number of fire hotspots typically ranges from over 37,000 to more than 56,000. Most of these hotspots, caused by forest fires and land clearing for agriculture —particularly slash-and-burn cultivation — are found in Shan State and Sagaing Region. The number of fire hotspots recorded nationwide was 51,091 in 2024 and 45,025 in 2025, representing a decrease of 6,066 cases, or about 12 per cent. Efforts are underway to achieve a reduction of up to 20 per cent in 2026.
Smoke haze air pollution severely affects public health; therefore, more effective approaches must be sought to successfully implement measures for reducing fire hotspots and controlling haze pollution as a national responsibility. Awareness-raising activities are being carried out by the Ministry of Border Affairs. Such awareness-raising programmes on the prevention of transboundary haze pollution have been conducted at departments and schools.
Every country places great importance on ensuring that its citizens live long and healthy lives free from illness. As this is not an issue that can be addressed by a single country alone, all neighbouring countries must actively cooperate and participate. To enable everyone to live in good health and well-being, efforts to prevent and control transboundary haze air pollution must be carried out without fail.

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Control smoke haze and air pollution as national responsibilities
Control smoke haze and air pollution as national responsibilities
The problem of smoke haze and air pollution is a critical environmental challenge not only for Myanmar but also for regional countries. Smoke haze pollution is, in fact, a form of air pollution. As it poses risks to all living beings, collective efforts with a national approach are required to control smoke haze and air pollution, not only in urban areas but also across transboundary border regions.Smoke haze air pollution most commonly occurs in transboundary border areas. Each year, haze pollution is typically observed in border regions between January and May. As transboundary haze frequently affects neighbouring countries that share borders, joint efforts are being carried out with neighbouring countries to control and reduce haze pollution before and during the dry season.In those areas, coordinated preventive measures must be taken to avoid further outbreaks of fires, including vigilance against spontaneous forest fires. Local organizations are required to carry out advanced awareness activities to prevent slash-and-burn practices, the burning of crop residues, and forest fires. Efforts must also be made to achieve the targeted reduction set for this year.According to reports from the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre based in Singapore regarding conditions that could lead to transboundary haze, Myanmar and other countries in the northern ASEAN region, particularly the Mekong subregion, have reached Alert Level 3 for fire hotspots and haze occurrence starting from 27 March 2026. It has been noted that dry weather conditions continue to persist in the Mekong region, and the number of fire hotspots and haze incidents may increase further. Based on satellite monitoring, fire hotspots were widely observed across Myanmar and Laos within the Mekong region on 25 and 26 March.Dry conditions are forecast to prevail across most parts of the Mekong subregion in the coming week, and the situation of fire hotspots and haze may worsen, with an increased risk of transboundary haze within the Mekong region. To address the current transboundary haze pollution along the borders of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos, measures are being undertaken at the national level through the formation of environmental conservation committees, bilateral joint response committees, and region- and state-level task forces.In those areas, coordinated preventive measures must be taken to avoid further outbreaks of fires, including vigilance against spontaneous forest fires. Local organizations are required to carry out advanced awareness activities to prevent slash-and-burn practices, the burning of crop residues, and forest fires. Efforts must also be made to achieve the targeted reduction set for this year.Therefore, as air pollution and smoke haze can have significant impacts on the environment, people living in urban and border areas need to consciously reduce activities that cause air pollution and haze. It is necessary for the public to cooperate with the State and participate collectively in a national effort to address and mitigate these issues.gnlmPhoto: Gemini
Prevent transboundary haze air pollution
Prevent transboundary haze air pollution
Smoke haze levels tend to rise due to intense heat during March, April, and May each year. In years with extremely hot and dry weather conditions, fire hotspots occur more frequently. To effectively prevent and control transboundary haze pollution along the Myanmar-Thailand border, relevant authorities from both countries are making concerted efforts to implement measures aimed at reducing cross-border smoke haze.Transboundary haze air pollution is a frequent occurrence among neighbouring countries that share borders. To reduce fire hotspots and control cross-border haze pollution, priority areas are designated based on the number and density of fire hotspots in the respective regions and states. Continuous efforts must be undertaken, including shifting from slash-and-burn cultivation to highland farming, producing organic fertilizer from agricultural waste, preventing the careless use of fire in forests, and establishing response plans in the event of haze pollution.Smoke haze air pollution severely affects public health; therefore, more effective approaches must be sought to successfully implement measures for reducing fire hotspots and controlling haze pollution as a national responsibility. Awareness-raising activities are being carried out by the Ministry of Border Affairs. Such awareness-raising programmes on the prevention of transboundary haze pollution have been conducted at departments and schools.Smoke haze is mainly caused by the burning of fields after harvest in shifting cultivation areas and by forest fires. Each year, particularly in March and April, people in the border areas of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos experience the impacts of air pollution. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) present in the haze can lead to respiratory problems, eye irritation, and lung diseases, posing particular risks to children and the elderly.In Myanmar, the average annual number of fire hotspots typically ranges from over 37,000 to more than 56,000. Most of these hotspots, caused by forest fires and land clearing for agriculture —particularly slash-and-burn cultivation — are found in Shan State and Sagaing Region. The number of fire hotspots recorded nationwide was 51,091 in 2024 and 45,025 in 2025, representing a decrease of 6,066 cases, or about 12 per cent. Efforts are underway to achieve a reduction of up to 20 per cent in 2026.Smoke haze air pollution severely affects public health; therefore, more effective approaches must be sought to successfully implement measures for reducing fire hotspots and controlling haze pollution as a national responsibility. Awareness-raising activities are being carried out by the Ministry of Border Affairs. Such awareness-raising programmes on the prevention of transboundary haze pollution have been conducted at departments and schools.Every country places great importance on ensuring that its citizens live long and healthy lives free from illness. As this is not an issue that can be addressed by a single country alone, all neighbouring countries must actively cooperate and participate. To enable everyone to live in good health and well-being, efforts to prevent and control transboundary haze air pollution must be carried out without fail.gnlmPhoto: Gemini
Sustain zero waste of food in society
Sustain zero waste of food in society
For this year’s International Day of Zero Waste, the focus is on food – what we eat, what we waste, and how we can move towards a more circular future. The world wastes food on a staggering scale. Every year, we throw away about one billion tonnes of edible food, nearly one-fifth of all food available to consumers. This impacts both people and the environment.A press release of the United Nations stated that around 60 per cent of food waste happens at the household level. The rest comes mostly from food service and retail, the result of inefficient food systems – including production, distribution and consumption. Tackling this issue requires redesigning these systems, transitioning towards a more sustainable, circular approach grounded in efficiency, resilience and sustainability. A zero-waste future is possible when everybody works together – do their part by consuming thoughtfully, recovering surplus food, and working to build circular food systems. As such, they all have to consume food efficiently without various forms of waste.Therefore, in Myanmar society, families should teach their future generations to eat in an orderly manner and to consume food efficiently and responsibly, so that they may grow into responsible citizens through such guidance. Those who have excess food should share it with those in need with kindness and compassion, with zero waste. Only in this way can a peaceful and prosperous society be built.In Myanmar society, some people waste food. In reality, for any food item to come into existence, farmers and livestock workers must first labour hard in agriculture and livestock production. The raw materials obtained are then turned into food products through production processes that require significant labour, capital investment, financial resources, and managerial and intellectual effort. Only after all these stages and resources are invested does a food product come into being. Therefore, everyone should value and consume food efficiently.Just because one has the money to buy food does not mean one should consume it carelessly or wastefully after purchasing it. Such selfish and thoughtless behaviour amounts to nothing more than food wastage. The food that may be lost due to one’s actions could instead be used beneficially by other consumers if it were not wasted, thereby bringing benefits not only to oneself but also to one’s community and the nation. Only when all produced food is consumed efficiently can unnecessary financial losses in the food production sector be reduced, which in turn will become an important support for the national economy.Therefore, in Myanmar society, families should teach their future generations to eat in an orderly manner and to consume food efficiently and responsibly, so that they may grow into responsible citizens through such guidance. Those who have excess food should share it with those in need with kindness and compassion, with zero waste. Only in this way can a peaceful and prosperous society be built.gnlm
Choose the best way for the future
Choose the best way for the future
Human beings are the most intellectually advanced of all living creatures in this world. Even so, among humanity itself, there remain many different levels of intellectual capacity. Among them are those who possess awareness but lack wisdom; those who are wise yet have a narrow scope of understanding; those who are highly intelligent but ill-intentioned; and those who have good intentions but limited intellect. In this way, various levels and types continue to exist within human society.Be that as it may, human beings tend to regard themselves as fully endowed with wisdom and therefore assume that whatever they do is entirely right. Except for those for the Arahatta who have attained enlightenment through the teachings of the Buddha, all human beings simply proceed through life believing in and following their own views and convictions.In general, human beings are forgiven for making mistakes out of ignorance of what is important. However, a person is truly deemed wicked only if they continue to err knowingly, or if, knowing they are wrong, they fail to correct themselves. Those who persist in wrongdoing, harming themselves, their own interests, others, and the welfare of society, become genuinely immoral and are considered evil-doers. As such, everyone has to choose the best way for their future.However, human beings should reflect upon themselves. Just because one believes oneself to be right, is it truly certain to be correct? And just because one thinks another is wrong, can it really be said that they are indeed wrong? Such questions should be carefully and thoughtfully considered. Although everyone may judge everything by intellect and reason, there are certain truths that can only be understood through lived experience.In this world, apart from the Four Noble Truths taught by the Buddha, there is no truth that is eternally and unconditionally valid. What is regarded as right or wrong tends to change depending on beliefs, the passage of time, self-interest, and power. And the excessive use of power can never bring about genuine justice. Even if something appears to be right at present, it may cease to be right within a certain period of time.Therefore, people must examine why such distortions between right and wrong occur, and learn to choose truths that correspond appropriately to the times. It is only because of evils rooted in ego, hatred, and attachment that right and wrong are being defined in such a way. When the heart misjudges what is right and wrong, that is what leads one astray from the correct path.In general, human beings are forgiven for making mistakes out of ignorance of what is important. However, a person is truly deemed wicked only if they continue to err knowingly, or if, knowing they are wrong, they fail to correct themselves. Those who persist in wrongdoing, harming themselves, their own interests, others, and the welfare of society, become genuinely immoral and are considered evil-doers. As such, everyone has to choose the best way for their future.gnlm
Build a peaceful and prosperous nation
Build a peaceful and prosperous nation
Elected representatives in the respective Hluttaws are viewing the country’s political, economic, and social sectors from a broad perspective and have begun organizing and preparing to serve their duties to the best of their abilities for national development. Accordingly, relevant sectoral committees have been formed within the Hluttaw sessions to initiate and undertake their respective responsibilities.In drafting the State’s laws, efforts are being carried out in accordance with Hluttaw procedures with the objectives of adopting appropriate approaches, enacting effective legislation, and, in particular, considering key factors for the development of the country’s economic sector. These efforts also aim to gain knowledge of internationally practised standards and to ensure the smooth implementation of the new government’s functions.Only then will it be possible to transform our beloved Myanmar into a peaceful nation and, from there, build a modern, developed, and prosperous country, enabling development activities to be carried out across all regions of the country. To realize such a peaceful and prosperous country and to end armed conflicts, the Hluttaws, the respective governments, Tatmadaw, and the entire population must work together with determination and collective effort.The Hluttaws and the respective government bodies must, without fail, undertake efforts to ensure peace and stability and the rule of law, which are fundamental to national development. A key weakness in economic development has been the shortage of skilled professionals capable of driving the economy forward.To enhance knowledge and skills, individuals must study a wide range of disciplines, with school education serving as the foundation for sharpening intellectual capacity and developing critical thinking. Therefore, the respective Hluttaws and the new government must continue to strengthen education for future generations of youth, as only then will the country’s human resources develop and improve.Infrastructure, inter-regional connectivity, and strong digital communication systems are essential requirements for national economic development. To modernize the country, these infrastructures must be further improved. This cannot be accomplished by the government alone; it requires the cooperation and participation of local communities, relevant organizations, the Tatmadaw, and all Hluttaw representatives.In promoting peace and the rule of law, the participation of each individual citizen is essential. Only when the rule of law is upheld can peace be achieved. Therefore, peace talks based on sincerity and transparency, involving all relevant organizations, should be resumed. With the future of the nation and the younger generations in mind, it is necessary to prioritize the national interest over individual or group interests, so as to build a peaceful nation.Only then will it be possible to transform our beloved Myanmar into a peaceful nation and, from there, build a modern, developed, and prosperous country, enabling development activities to be carried out across all regions of the country. To realize such a peaceful and prosperous country and to end armed conflicts, the Hluttaws, the respective governments, Tatmadaw, and the entire population must work together with determination and collective effort.gnlm
Emphasize gender equality in water management elsewhere
Emphasize gender equality in water management elsewhere
Only three per cent of the world’s water is freshwater. However, 2.5 per cent of all the world’s water is locked in glaciers, ice-capped polar areas, the atmosphere, and soil, making it directly unusable. In addition, some of this water is either too polluted to use or too costly to extract. Therefore, only 0.5 per cent of the world’s total water resources are usable freshwater for human consumption.While climate change is threatening both the quantity and quality of freshwater, people in many countries around the world are facing difficulties in accessing reliable support for freshwater availability in numerous areas. In reality, there are very few effective approaches to address issues related to population growth and migration. Only through the implementation of broad-based assistance and practical solutions to water demand can the challenges facing humanity be overcome and alleviated.Since the early 21st century, climate change has caused drought and water scarcity to intensify in many parts of the world. The famine affecting the Horn of Africa shows signs that its consequences may directly or indirectly spread to other smaller countries as well. Experts assess that many poor developing countries, including those in Africa, are likely to experience more severe droughts due not only to current water shortages, rapid population growth, poor governance, and poverty, but also to the continued deterioration of environmental conservation.The theme for World Water Day 2026 is ‘Water and Gender’. This theme addresses a stark reality: water scarcity and lack of sanitation disproportionately affect women and girls. In many parts of the world, gender inequality and water poverty are deeply connected. When water is scarce, women are often the ones who bear the burden.Due to climate change, glaciers and snow in major mountain ranges around the world – including the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Andes – are melting. These glaciers are freshwater sources that provide drinking water for one in every six people on Earth. New evidence shows that these glaciers are disappearing faster than expected, leading to water shortages in Peru and other regions.The theme for World Water Day 2026 is ‘Water and Gender’. This theme addresses a stark reality: water scarcity and lack of sanitation disproportionately affect women and girls. In many parts of the world, gender inequality and water poverty are deeply connected. When water is scarce, women are often the ones who bear the burden.Everybody needs to manage water as a common good and build resilience for the future. This includes engaging men and boys as allies in promoting safe water, sanitation and hygiene for all, and in challenging the norms and behaviours that hold women and girls back. Only then can safe water services meet everyone’s needs – empowering women and girls to lead healthier, more fulfilled lives – and making water a force for sustainable development and gender equality that benefits all.gnlm
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