Sunway:ASEAN must act with greater urgency, persistence, and determination to address the recurring problem of transboundary haze, stated Prof Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Jemilah, who serves as the executive director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health at Sunway University, highlighted that the region has previously demonstrated its capability for collective action during humanitarian emergencies, such as tsunamis and typhoons. She referenced ASEAN's humanitarian assistance centre and regional disaster management agreement as examples of successful cooperation. Speaking during the 'The Science of Global Tipping Points' plenary at the Global Tipping Points Conference 2026, she emphasized that climate change and pollution are major disasters requiring similar coordinated efforts.
The conference, attended by the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah, featured other notable speakers including Prof Tim Lenton from the University of Exeter, Prof Dr Johan Rockström from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Prof Alan Dangour from Wellcome's Climate and Health initiative.
Dr Jemilah also noted the importance of involving young people in diplomacy and negotiation, aiming to have them included in official delegations. She urged policymakers, businesses, and universities to provide meaningful roles for young people in policy discussions and decision-making processes.
Prof Alan Dangour mentioned that Wellcome is collaborating with Dr Jemilah on the Southeast Asia DREAMS project. This initiative aims to invest over 50 million pounds in the region for research on climate change and human health, supporting new research hubs and collaborative groups across ASEAN countries.
Prof Tim Lenton highlighted the need for clean energy transitions to include safeguards for vulnerable communities, citing Malaysia as an example of a country with effective social safety nets. He emphasized the importance of weighing the benefits of cleaner energy against the health harms of fossil fuels, while ensuring governance minimizes new environmental and social risks.
The ongoing four-day conference, which concludes on October 15, is the first in the Global Tipping Points series to be hosted in Asia, gathering experts from diverse fields to address environmental risks and explore ways to accelerate positive change.