According to Thai media reports, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in addressing transboundary air pollution and adopted the Joint Action Plan for 2026-2027 to tackle the seasonal haze that has long plagued the Mekong subregion. A core measure of the Joint Action Plan is the use of satellite technology and real-time data sharing mechanisms to monitor transboundary forest fire hotspots and air quality. Officials at the meeting stated that this marks a new phase in regional cooperation characterized by "satellite diplomacy," shifting the focus from emergency response to early warning, prevention, and long-term mitigation.
The Action Plan also includes jointly mapping fire risk, establishing a unified air quality reporting system, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to reduce the impact of burning crops on air pollution. The three countries agreed to establish a technical working group to ensure that relevant policy decisions are based on scientific evidence and verified data.
Furthermore, the three parties will conduct public awareness campaigns targeting communities, farmers, and agricultural enterprises, and encourage alternatives to open burning through incentives. At the end of the meeting, representatives from the three countries unanimously confirmed the new scope of their cooperative responsibilities and reaffirmed their shared commitment to continuously deepening regional cooperation and improving the environment and public health.
