On January 20, 2026, Mr. Paul Sein Twa, Executive Director of the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN) and Director of the Salween Peace Park, joined civil society partners from Thailand and Laos in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the Greater Mekong River Subregion Breath Council (GMS Breath Council). This new cross‑border civil society platform brings together organizations across the Mekong region to address transboundary haze pollution and promote sustainable development.
Recognizing the serious impacts of transboundary haze pollution on the health, economy, and biodiversity of people in the Mekong River basin, and believing in the power of people-to-people cooperation and local-to-local connectivity as key to effective policy implementation, the Member Parties have agreed to enter this Memorandum of Understanding. The following objectives will be pursued under the GMS Breath Council:
1. To establish the “GMS Breath Council” as a coordinating mechanism for cross-border civil society in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.
2. To drive transboundary air pollution reduction plans through twin-city collaboration and foster cooperation through jointly defined projects and activities across all dimensions to achieve sustainable solutions.
3. To create a shared air quality database and transfer technologies for joint fire management, area-based management, and firebreak management.
4. To integrate collaborative plans with government agencies, international organizations, the private sector, educational institutions, and civil society in each country to ensure stakeholder participation within the network.
Mr. Paul Sein Twa said:
“This MoU marks a groundbreaking initiative. PM2.5 is no longer a single-country issue. It is transboundary and requires regional cooperation and proactive, integrated solutions. People must act now. We cannot wait for governments to do it for us.”
Participants will hold joint meetings to define the coordination structure through the GMS Breath Council Secretariat and joint action plans at the GMS Breath Council Congress 2026 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, by 2026
Terms of Memorandum
This Memorandum of Understanding is valid for two years from the date of signatures by both parties. Unless otherwise there is objection from either party, the memorandum of understanding will be extended another two years. Afterward the same procedure will be taken.
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