Singapore and Southeast Asia face a heightened risk of severe transboundary haze in the second half of 2026, driven by the return of El Niño, drier weather and mounting economic pressures that could increase forest and peatland fires.

The warning comes ahead of the 27th Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Bali, where regional leaders will discuss efforts to prevent another major haze episode.

On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks to Evelyn Tan, Assistant Director, Policy Programmes at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), about what the meeting hopes to achieve, whether Southeast Asia is better prepared for a high-risk haze season, and what stronger regional cooperation will take to tackle the problem at its source.