(23-6-2025, Chiang Mai)
At the invitation of Mr. Chen Haiping, Consul-General of the People's Republic of China, Consul-General U Ming Kyaw Linn of the Consulate-General of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar attended the International Symposium on Haze Governance as a special guest. The symposium, held under the theme “Breathe Together, Shared Destiny: International Seminar on Solving the Haze Problem in the Northern Region,” was organized by the Chinese Consulate-General in Chiang Mai, in collaboration with Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, to seek solutions to the problem of transboundary haze pollution. The event took place on June 20, 2025, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The symposium is part of a series of activities held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China in 2025.
Also in attendance were Mrs. Oranuj Lorphensri, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand; Mr. Siwakorn Buapong, Vice-Governor of Chiang Mai Province; officials from environmental ministries of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and China; as well as professors and researchers from relevant academic institutions.
In his remarks, Consul-General U Ming Kyaw Linn emphasized that haze pollution is a serious public health challenge affecting many countries, including Myanmar. He noted that the primary causes of haze include human activities such as industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and agricultural burning, as well as natural phenomena like wildfires. Stressing that haze transcends the borders of any single country, he highlighted the active cooperation between Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand to address the issue collectively.
He further underscored the need for public participation, stating that government-level collaboration alone is insufficient to resolve the problem. In this regard, he acknowledged the vital role played by international organizations, experts, and scholars in raising awareness and educating communities.
In conclusion, the Consul-General expressed confidence that the symposium—bringing together experts from Myanmar, China, Laos, and Thailand, all of which are Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries—would provide a platform to exchange valuable experiences and identify effective, sustainable solutions for tackling haze pollution.
