Tag: IFAD

IFAD, together with ASEAN invest in reducing transboundary haze pollution in Southeast Asia

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Bangkok, 27 November 2019 – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and ASEAN Secretariat have launched the Measurable Action for Haze-Free Sustainable Land Management in Southeast Asia (MAHFSA) Programme today to reduce transboundary haze pollution and its impacts in Southeast Asia.

It is estimated that haze pollution affects the health of 50 million people in the region. IFAD is granting US$ 3.5 million to ASEAN towards financing the programme. The ASEAN Secretariat, the Center for International Forestry Research, and the Global Environment Centre will jointly implement the regional programme. The programme is a follow-up to the GEF4-IFAD ASEAN Peatland Forests Project 2009-2014, and aims to support ASEAN Member States to achieve the goals of the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy, the key targets of the ASEAN Programme on Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems, and support the implementation of the ASEAN Haze-Free Roadmap.

In close collaboration with ASEAN Member States, the programme aims to assist and facilitate the collection and analysis of land management and haze-related information to predict, monitor and prevent fires and haze. It will also strengthen the ASEAN regional coordination mechanisms for advancing sustainable land management, haze prevention policies, programmes, and projects, through the establishment of a regional multi-stakeholder platform, and mobilise increased flow of financial and human resources for haze-free programmes and projects.

“The Programme is critical to advancing sustainable land management, and haze prevention policies in the region,” said Fabrizio Bresciani, IFAD Regional Economist, Asia and Pacific. “Among other things, it seeks to develop an estimated US$1.5 billion investment programme that prioritizes national and regional actions on haze elimination and sustainable peatland management,” he added.

In his remarks, Dr. Vong Sok, Assistant Director of Environment Division of ASEAN Secretariat, emphasised that cooperation and multi-stakeholder engagement at different levels are vital to address root causes, effects and risks of haze issues, in order to move towards the prosperity of a clean and green ASEAN to promote sustainable development for the benefit of our people.

He also reiterated that with ASEAN’s theme this year: ‘Advancing Partnership for Sustainability’, the Member States have reaffirmed their commitment to address transboundary haze issues through closer cooperation and collaboration.

ASEAN Secretariat and IFAD Ink Deal to Promote Sustainable Development of Peatlands and Address Transboundary Smoke Haze Pollution

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A Project Grant Agreement to implement the “Rehabilitation and Sustainable Use of Peatland Forests in Southeast Asia” project was recently signed by the ASEAN Secretariat and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The Agreement was signed by Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN and Mr Lennart Båge, President of IFAD.

The four-year project received a grant of US$4.3 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and will mobilise an additional US$10.2 million in co-financing during the implementation phase. IFAD has been designated as the implementing agency for GEF while the ASEAN Secretariat will coordinate the execution of the project in ASEAN Member States.

Dr Surin expressed his appreciation to GEF and IFAD for their support to this project. He noted that “the project will help to address the major transboundary environmental problem – smoke haze pollution – facing the ASEAN region.”

He added, “More importantly, this project will also contribute towards addressing the global climate change crisis. More and more international partners have recognised the value and mutual benefits of working with ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat and capitalising on its robust intergovernmental framework for programme design, implementation and monitoring. This GEF/IFAD project is another demonstration of this confidence in ASEAN.”

ASEAN has more than 30 million hectares of peatlands comprising 60% of global tropical peatland resource. Peatlands are primarily water-logged areas containing centuries-old decayed vegetative matter up to several metres deep. While being significantly important for development, livelihood, environment and biodiversity, unsustainable practices and adverse climate conditions have severely degraded the peatlands, making them the primary source of fires and smoke haze that affects the region regularly. Degraded peatlands are also a major source of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. ASEAN, through the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution adopted in 2002, is undertaking a concerted effort to address forest and land fires in fire prone areas such as the peatlands.

This project takes a holistic approach to promote sustainable management of peatlands, sustain local livelihoods, reduce risk of fire and associated smoke haze, and contribute to global environmental efforts particularly biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. It consists of both national activities undertaken in participating countries with major peatland areas, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Viet Nam and regional activities involving all ASEAN States to share best practices, technology and experience. On-the-ground activities will be undertaken at several identified peatland areas together with the local governments, private sector and local community.