Hanoi:First paragraph of the news story.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prof Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, executive director of Sunway University's Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, emphasized the need for ASEAN to take urgent and determined action to address the recurring issue of transboundary haze. She highlighted the region's past cooperation in dealing with humanitarian crises, such as tsunamis and typhoons, as evidence of its capacity for collective action.

Dr Jemilah made these remarks during the 'The Science of Global Tipping Points' plenary at the Global Tipping Points Conference 2026, which was attended by distinguished figures including the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah. The event also featured experts such as Prof Tim Lenton from the University of Exeter, Prof Dr Johan Rockström from the University of Potsdam, and Prof Alan Dangour from the Wellcome foundation.

Dr Jemilah noted that her centre is actively training young people in diplomacy and negotiation, advocating for their inclusion in official delegations and policy discussions. She called on policymakers, businesses, and universities to offer young people meaningful roles beyond token representation.

Prof Alan Dangour announced that Wellcome is collaborating with Dr Jemilah on the Southeast Asia DREAMS project, which will allocate over 50 million pounds to research on climate change and human health in the region. This initiative aims to establish new research hubs across ASEAN countries, leveraging existing expertise and solutions.

Prof Tim Lenton highlighted the importance of integrating social safeguards for vulnerable communities in clean energy transitions, using Malaysia as an example of effective social safety nets. He stressed the need to balance the benefits of cleaner energy with the health risks posed by fossil fuels, while ensuring governance addresses emerging environmental and social challenges.

The four-day Global Tipping Points Conference, concluding on October 15, marks its first session in Asia, gathering experts from various fields to explore environmental risks and strategies for accelerating positive change.