From Ice to Smoke: Leveraging science diplomacy lessons from the Arctic council to strengthen ASEAN agreement on transboundary haze pollution

Firal Liyana Mustapa; Suseela Devi Chandran; Farhatul Mustamirrah Mahamad Aziz

doi:10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI38.7654

Authors

Firal Liyana Mustapa Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, UiTM Shah Alam, Malaysia
Suseela Devi Chandran Asso.Professor, Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, UiTM Shah Alam, Malaysia
Farhatul Mustamirrah Mahamad Aziz Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, UiTM Shah Alam, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI38.7654

Keywords:

ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), Arctic Council, science diplomacy, ASEAN Way

Abstract

This paper examines adapting science diplomacy to enhance successful implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), drawing valuable lessons from Arctic Council experiences. Using a qualitative comparative approach, it analyses how the Arctic Council's structured science diplomacy enables evidence-based decision-making while preserving national interests. Contrastingly, AATHP currently faces limited enforcement and fragmented scientific input. The research proposes integrating science diplomacy, particularly through STI collaboration, to enhance ASEAN's effective policy execution. By adopting an Arctic Council-inspired science diplomacy framework, ASEAN could strengthen cross-border scientific networks, depoliticise environmental dialogue, and enhance AATHP operationalisation while respecting the important non-interference principle.

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