Hardly had the parleys in Singapore ended when smoke from forest fires in Indonesia drifted over the Lion City, pushing air pollution near unhealthy levels. Malaysia and Brunei were also affected. For years, logging companies and palm-oil plantations have used fire to clear land, creating smog in the region. The haze is not only a health hazard, but also disrupts air and sea traffic. They now need to just go ahead and do it - before the haze establishes itself as a permanent blight.
Some officials lament the lack of international support.
Once established, the relevant modes of cooperation can be applied to other regional problems like piracy, drugs and terrorism. Thailand, one of the six original signatories, wants to extend the deadline by a year or two. Others, like the Philippines, demand flexibility in certain sensitive industries, as companies feel pressure from cheaper imports. But the shock will be softened as the region is emerging from recession. And the competition will eventually create stronger industries - as well as a vast, more integrated market of half a billion people.