ALL TALK BUT NO ACTION

In April 1999, ASEAN adopted a “zero-burning” policy and urged all Member Countries to implement the necessary laws and regulations to enforce this major decision. Following this, ASEAN convened a number of dialogue sessions with plantation companies as part of the effort to promote the zero burning policy among plantation owners and timber concessionaires. These dialogue sessions sought to inform and raise awareness on zero burning practices and techniques among plantation companies, and establish a regular forum in sustaining the dialogue sessions with plantation companies. ASEAN plans to organise more of such dialogue sessions regularly to further raise awareness and share experience on zero burning practices.

ASEAN has published the Guidelines for the Implementation of the ASEAN Policy on Zero Burning, and the Guidelines for the Implementation of Controlled Burning Practices. A Workshop on the Guidelines for the Implementation of the ASEAN Policy on Zero Burning was conducted in July 2004 in Kuala Rompin, Malaysia. Plantation companies, timber concessionaires, relevant associations from Malaysia and Indonesia, international organisations, representatives from ASEAN Member Countries and ASEAN Secretariat, participated in the workshop.

A second workshop was held in Kuala Rompin, Pahang, Malaysia on 18-20 July 2006 to promote the ASEAN Policy on Zero Burning and the implementation of zero burning techniques among practitioners in plantation companies, timber concessionaires, fire experts and regulatory agencies as well as fire prevention management. The workshop was attended by representatives from Malaysian plantation companies, ASEAN Member Countries, ASEAN Secretariat and international organisations.