Jakarta (VNA) – Dozens of people havebeen taken to hospitals for respiratory problems due to thick smoke caused byforest fires in Aceh province of Indonesia.
Some schools in Meulaboh city suspendedclasses on July 26 after fires destroyed 70 hectares of forests in the provincelast week.
The country’s national disaster agencyrecommended people monitor their cultivation land and not reclaim and burnforests. It also warned of an escalating risk of forest fires as the dry seasonis expected to continue for several months.
There are about 180 forest fire hotspots insix Indonesian provinces, significantly lower than in 2015.
Last year, studies by the US’s Harvard andColumbia Universities estimated that the 2015 smog outbreak may have causedmore than 100,000 premature deaths.
Forest fires occur mainly on Indonesia’sSumatra and Borneo islands with the haze blanketing many parts of the country,affecting public health and triggering crisis with neighbouring countries likeSingapore and Malaysia.-VNA
Singapore’s air quality has pushed unhealthy levels as a result of forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
Singapore’s Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli asked for more efforts to be made to completely eliminate the haze problems though fewer fire hotspots were recorded in Indonesia.
Haze of black smokes from forest and bush fires have caused visibility problems in Riau in the past two days, especially in the morning, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency said.
Indonesia has assured that there will be no transboundary haze problems plaguing Southeast Asia’s skyline this year, said Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry advisor Arief Yuwono.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Illustrative photo (Source: EPA/VNA) 
