Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand Launched CLEAR Sky Strategy
The three nations have united to combat seasonal haze and reduce fire hotspots across the Mekong sub-region.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Asthma
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Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand have officially launched the CLEAR Sky Strategy to address hazardous seasonal haze. This initiative focuses on reducing agricultural burning and forest fires between 2024 and 2030.
Why it matters
The plan aims to mitigate the severe air pollution that regularly threatens public health and economic stability in the Mekong sub-region. By establishing cross-border coordination, the nations hope to curb the dangerous smoke generated by seasonal fires.
The initiative spans a six-year period from 2024 through 2030 and mandates that the newly formed Joint Task Force meet at least once annually. It defines five core priorities under the CLEAR acronym to guide fire-risk reduction.
The players
ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation among its ten member states.
The details
The strategy introduces a shared fire-risk map and a dedicated emergency hotline for senior officials to manage haze crises. A Joint Task Force consisting of national focal points will oversee the development of a unified monitoring system for real-time air quality and PM2.5 data.
Timeline
The trilateral agreement for the initiative was reached in April 2023.
The CLEAR Sky Strategy was formally launched on October 5, 2026.
The active implementation period for the strategy runs from 2024 through 2030.
The Joint Task Force will meet at least once annually to oversee operations.
Deeper Dive
The CLEAR Sky Strategy complements the existing framework established by the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. By building on these regional foundations, the countries aim to formalize coordination mechanisms that were previously loosely organized.
Residents in the affected Mekong sub-region can expect improved public health warnings as the countries work to implement real-time air quality monitoring systems. These measures are designed to help vulnerable individuals avoid peak exposure times during hazardous haze events.
The takeaway
Regional cooperation is increasingly necessary to combat transboundary environmental hazards that move across national borders. Residents in affected areas should monitor local government updates for new air quality alerts resulting from this enhanced monitoring initiative.
Further reading
Learn more about how air quality impacts respiratory health in the Asthma section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Thai PBS World.
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