Asean deal with climate change

Leaders of ASEAN countries will announce plans to plant trees on an area of ​​more than 10 million hectares by 2020 to absorb greenhouse gas emissions at the summit scheduled to take place in Singapore next week.

According to Japan's Mainichi newspaper on November 13, the plan will be made in the form of a special statement, which urges member states to strengthen the protection of the coral reef . According to the ASEAN website, ASEAN leaders will sign a statement on environmental sustainability to protect and manage the environment, deal with climate change and protect natural resources. In addition, the website also said that leaders will express support for the successful outcome of discussions at the annual UN climate conference scheduled to take place in Bali island (Indonesia). next December

Previously, interviewing on Channel NewsAsia on November 12, ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong said ASEAN will show its willingness to address the challenges of climate change and environment through 2 important statements: a statement of 10 ASEAN members and a statement of leaders attending the East Asia summit, including ASEAN, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Forest destroyed in Riau Province, Indonesia.(Photo: Reuters)

According to Ong, the message of climate change that ASEAN sends to the international community is clear and ASEAN leaders will seek initiatives to deal with this global problem. According to Ong, the biggest environmental concern in Southeast Asia is now forests and ASEAN's view is to exploit forests in a systematic way . In addition, another major challenge comes from protecting the sea, coral reefs and beaches.

One of the other important documents expected to be signed at the ASEAN summit is the ASEAN Economic Community Plan . According to Ong, the goal of this plan is to modernize the economic and commercial system to facilitate people and goods traveling between member countries more easily. In addition, the plan also helps the less developed economies in ASEAN to integrate more quickly into the global market, while addressing concerns about the competitiveness of regional economies. The plan has set a timetable for completing important tasks.

In addition, according to Ong, an ASEAN charter is also ready for ASEAN leaders to sign at the conference. Ong believes that the charter will strengthen ASEAN's voice and identity, and help regional processes become more effective.

HOANG PHUONG
According to AP, Channel NewsAsia, Aseansec.org, Workers