Senior Officials' Preparatory Meeting For 18th AMME Begins Today

LANGKAWI, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- The Preparatory Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN) for the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment (AMME-18) began today, with a call for enhanced regional cooperation to address pressing environmental challenges.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo, in his welcoming remarks, emphasised the crucial role of this meeting in ensuring the success of the forthcoming Ministerial Meeting.

"It is here that we, as one community, take the time to carefully review our agenda, refine the discussion points and ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place to allow the ministers to focus on the substance of their deliberations.

"The thoroughness of our work today will directly contribute to the effectiveness and success of the Ministerial Meeting in the days ahead,” he said.

Ching said the preparatory work is not merely procedural but a crucial step in ensuring that ASEAN continues to deliver tangible solutions and concrete outcomes for the people of the region.

He said that as the host nation, Malaysia, extends a warm welcome to all delegates and encourages them to experience Langkawi's cultural heritage and natural beauty beyond the formal sessions, noting that such exchanges help foster stronger friendships and deeper mutual understanding.

He also expressed Malaysia's appreciation to the ASEAN Secretariat and all delegations for their dedication and hard work, acknowledging their commitment reflects the region's shared determination to address environmental challenges and work towards a sustainable future.

"ASEAN continues to face significant environmental challenges, including the intensifying impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, transboundary haze pollution and unsustainable patterns of consumption and production," he said.

Ching added that climate change is intensifying, bringing with it more frequent extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and threats to food, water and energy security, for which stronger cooperation, enhanced enforcement and innovative approaches, such as the circular economy and green financing, are needed.

“The principles of unity, consensus and cooperation have long guided ASEAN. In addressing these complex and interlinked challenges, we must reaffirm our shared commitment to sustainability, resilience and inclusivity,” he said.

The three-day AMME-18, held at Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC) from today, will be convened alongside the 20th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (COP-20 AATHP) and related meetings.

The event brings together ASEAN environment ministers and senior officials to discuss regional cooperation on sustainability and inclusive environmental management.

-- BERNAMA