Updates Archives - RKC

Expert and Policy Dialogue on the Assessment of Policy Responses to Plastic Pollution

Bangkok, 4 March 2024: In efforts towards achieving the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision to reduce additional marine plastic pollution to zero by 2050, The Ministry of Environment of Japan (MOEJ), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Institute for Global …

Addressing Plastic Pollution Through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Southeast Asia

Author: Michikazu Kojima
Senior Advisor to the President on Environmental Issues,
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia

Plastic Pollution and EPR

Numerous academic studies have unveiled Southeast Asia as a significant hotspot for plastic pollution, primarily due …

ERIA Receives IGO Observer Status from UNEA: Advancing Global Environmental Participation

Jakarta, 6 December 2023: The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) has received official accreditation as an intergovernmental organization (IGO) by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), effective as …

AFD and ERIA Forge Memorandum of Understanding to Foster Sustainable Development in the ASEAN Region

Jakarta, 5 December 2023: The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) have taken a significant stride towards advancing regional progress and sustainable development by formalising a strategic partnership through …

Breaking the Plastic Habit: A Public Dialogue on the Application of Behavioural Insights

Jakarta, 9 November 2023: As a way to tackle plastic waste issue in ASEAN from the social science angle, the Behavioral Insight Project Public Dialogue, took place within the ERIA premise. The event, organized by the Economic Research Institute …

World Bank partners with ERIA and IGES on Knowledge and Partnership Platform in Southeast Asia

Jakarta, 18 October – Organizations and institutions working on marine plastics knowledge in ASEAN gathered for the First Consultation Workshop for the Knowledge and Partnerships Platform of the Southeast Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP). The …

A United ASEAN Against Plastic Pollution

Jakarta, 17 October 2023: The ASEAN Conference on Combatting Plastic Pollution (ACCPP) 2023 was hosted by the Indonesian government in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the Indonesia National Plastic Action Partnership …

A Walk through Bantar Gebang Landfill: A Closer Look at the Informal Waste Workers

The infamous Bantar Gebang landfill site is the biggest open dumping landfill not just in Indonesia, but also in the Southeast Asia region. Spanning across an area of more than 108 hectares, this landfill site receives about 7,000 tonnes …

Reducing Marine Plastics: the Importance of Regional Knowledge Sharing and Policy Harmonisation

Vientiane, 23 August 2023: Experts and representatives of the ASEAN+3 Member States gathered in Vientiane, Laos to discuss the progress and challenges of national and regional efforts in addressing marine plastic pollution. Among the key points discussed, the speakers …

ASEAN-Japan Cooperation Symposium: the Launching of the ASEAN-Japan Action Agenda on Plastic Pollution

A Symposium commemorating the 50^th year of cooperation between ASEAN and Japan was held during the ASEAN-Japan Environment Week in Laos (Aug 22^nd-24^th 2023).

On August 24^th, Mr Reo Kawamura, Director for Environmental …

Private Sector’s Joint Efforts in Reducing Plastic Pollution in Laos

Vientiane, 23 August 2023: A unified and comprehensive contribution from all parts of society, including the private sector, is necessary to effectively reduce plastic pollution in Lao PDR, speakers said at a seminar.

Multiple businesses in the country are …

National Plastic Action Partnerships (NPAP): A Multistakeholder Approach to Addressing Plastic Pollution in Developing Countries

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ERIA Participates in 18th ASEAN+3 Environment Ministers Meeting and ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Dialogue on Environmental Cooperation

Vientiane, 24 August 2023: Mr Koji Hachiyama, Chief Operating Officer of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), gave a presentation at the 18th ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministers’ Meeting (EMM) and ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Dialogue …

ERIA Attends Environment Ministerial Meetings and ASEAN-Japan Environment Week

An Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) delegation led by Mr Koji Hachiyama, Chief Operating Officer, took part in a number of salient activities during the ASEAN-Japan Environment Week on 22-24 August, and the Environment Ministerial …

Cross-boundary Marine Plastics: The Significance of Collaborative Works and Local Wisdom

Bogor, 6 July 2023: The alarming severity of marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia demands united action and collaboration among relevant stakeholders, including local communities and their invaluable wisdom. During a joint briefing on Technology and Innovation Solutions …

Working Group Reaffirms ASEAN’s Commitment to Implement Environmentally Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste

Ha Noi, 5-7 July 2023: Advancing the utilisation of technologies for environmentally sound management of hazardous chemicals and waste was the focus of the eighth ASEAN Working Group on Chemicals and Waste meeting. The event was co-hosted by …

ERIA’s Experts Urge Standardised Methodologies on Plastic Debris Data Collection and Analysis

Denpasar, 24-25 May 2023: The fourth meeting of ERIA’s Experts Working Group on Marine Plastic Debris concluded by urging the development of standardised methodologies for material flow analysis of plastics and monitoring plastic pollution in the environment. The …

[PODCAST] Living Chic with Plastic – Episode 3

‘Living Chic with Plastic’ podcast series welcomes young people involved in marine plastic litter research, prevention programs, clean-up activities, and other advocacies. We listen to their first-hand experience, different challenges they may be facing, and draw important insights toward possible …

3RproMar Knowledge Partnership: Preventing Marine Plastic Pollution for a Stronger Circular Economy in ASEAN

Bali, 22 May 2023: ‘Reduce Reuse Recycle to Protect Marine Debris and Coral Reefs’ (3RproMar), an ASEAN-German cooperation project implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat, successfully organised its 2…

24th ASEAN Coordination Meeting with Partners on Coastal and Marine Environment: Towards Collaborative Works and Sustainable Blue Economy

Sanur, 23 May 2023: The Regional Knowledge Centre of Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) participated in the 24^th ASEAN Coordination Meeting with Partners on Coastal and Marine …

Data, Policy, and Financing Must be Harmonised to Tackle Marine Plastic Pollution: OECD Regional Dialogue

Denpasar, 3-4 May 2023: Harmonising collection of data, policy coherence, and multisectoral financing to tackle marine plastic pollution is essential to facilitate an efficient decision-making process, according to the experts attending The Third Regional Ocean Policy Dialogue in …

Education and Regulation the Key for Community-Based Waste Management Facility in Bali

Denpasar, 23 May 2023: When Sekar Tanjung Reduce-Reuse-Recycle Waste Management Facility (TPS3R) was set up in Sanur Kauh Ward in 2017, a conflict rose as many residents refused to segregate their waste, which they need to do in …

Operating with PPP Scheme, Integrated Waste Management Facility in Bali Turning Waste to Energy

Denpasar, 23 May 2023: The G20 Bali Summit in November 2022 was praised for bringing significant impacts to the island’s economy, boosting the tourism industry that was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact also trickled down to …

Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park in the Philippines Facing the Threat of Plastic Pollution

Manila, 15 April 2023: The Regional Knowledge Centre of Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) team of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) visited Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) in Metro Manila, The Philippines to study the …

Researchers Present Novel Findings in 3R, Waste Management at Kyoto Conference

Kyoto, 13-18 March 2023: The 3R International Scientific Conference on Material Cycles and Waste Management (3RINCs) opened this week, bringing together more than 400 researchers and students for a 6-day knowledge sharing occasion. The 9th…

CORA Eco Ikot: Empowering Women while Mainstreaming Community-based Recycling System

Parañaque, Metro Manila, 15 April 2023: In an attempt to learn more about community-based waste management initiatives in the Philippines, the research team of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris visited CORA Eco-Ikot Center, an inclusive …

No Trash Bins, Hotel Voucher: Some Good Practices in Waste Reduction and Management in Japan

13-18 March 2023: The Regional Knowledge Centre of Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) team of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) participated in the 9^th 3R International Scientific Conference on Material Cycles and Waste Management …

PETValue Philippines Pioneering Bottle-to-Bottle Recycling Facility in the Country

Manila, 13 April 2023: Rows of high piles of PET bales sprawled around the plant of PETValue Philippines, located in General Trias in Cavite Province, some 2-hour drive south of Manila. The bales consist of PET plastic bottles originating …

Extended Producer Responsibilities and Private Sector Initiatives Key Factors in Curbing Marine Plastic in the Philippines

Manila, 14 April 2023: Various stakeholders in the Philippines gathered here today in a hybrid event aiming to stock-take the progress and discuss the many ways private companies have been contributing to combating plastic waste and marine plastic …

From Waste-to-Energy: How Kyoto City Manages Its Trash

Kyoto, 18 March 2023: On the sideline of the 9^th 3R International Scientific Conference on Material Cycles and Waste Management (3RINCs) 2023, the Regional Knowledge Centre of Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) team visited Kyoto South Clean Centre Plant …

Unlocking the Solution to Plastic Pollution: Thailand’s Push for Circular Economy and Extended Producer Responsibility

As the issue around plastic pollution is taking over the conversation, a growing number of initiatives have been put in motion to tackle this problem, and many of them in the area of waste management. However, to Dr Sujitra …

Building Data on the Plastics Value Chain in ASEAN Member States

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Plastic Pollution in Mekong River Basin: The Importance of Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

Bangkok, 7-9 March 2023: Partnership across stakeholders was the central theme of the three-day workshop organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that gathered experts and stakeholders working in plastic pollution prevention of the Mekong River Basin.…

[INFOGRAPHIC]: The Supports Businesses Need to Address Plastic Pollution in ASEAN +3

The Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris invited businesses contributing to the reduction of plastic waste in ASEAN + 3 countries to share their challenges and lessons learned through our Private Sector Platform (PSP) webinar series. The first round …

How to Prevent Plastic Leakage from Factories and Informal Recycling Sector in ASEAN

Hanoi, 28 March 2023: Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP) of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in collaboration with Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre Company Limited (VNCPC) organised an in-country …

[PODCAST] Living Chic with Plastic – Episode 2

‘Living Chic with Plastic’ podcast series welcomes young people involved in marine plastic litter research, prevention programs, clean-up activities, and other advocacies. We listen to their first-hand experience, different challenges they may be facing, and draw important insights toward possible …

The 2nd ASEAN-Japan Symposium on Marine Plastic Waste Education Aims to Nurture Good Habits for Cleaner Oceans

1 March 2023: On this day, the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) held the 2nd Symposium on Marine Plastic Waste Education that featured selected schools and their student-led initiatives from Japan and eight ASEAN countries which had previously participated in …

Plastic Waste in Myanmar: How Poverty (Paradoxically) Can Drive Circularity

Mr Friedor Jeske started to get interested in the waste issue since his involvement in a recycling study with Yangon municipality years ago, despite him coming from an entirely different academic background.

‘I was interested in the mixture of …

IGES, ERIA Held Kick-Off Workshop with 4 Partners for the Consumer Behaviour Project for Single Use Plastics

23 February 2022: The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), a policy research institute in Japan, held a kick-off workshop on a project to test the effectiveness of behavioural insight to reduce the use of single-use plastics in …

Plastic Pollution in Thailand Mangrove Forest Reflecting the Situation in Southeast Asia

Samut Prakan, 6 March 2023: Mangrove is known to be a powerful carbon sink, which is essential in mitigating climate change. However, large areas of mangrove forests face tremendous threats from plastic pollution, including the ones in Bang …

India-Japan Environment Week Shares Innovative Waste Management Technologies to Reduce Plastic Waste

12 January 2023: The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ), and Asian Development Bank (ADB) co-organised a hybrid seminar entitled “Latest Trends of Waste Management Technologies Contributing to Marine …

[PODCAST] Living Chic with Plastic – Episode 1

The Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA has launched a podcast series titled ‘Living Chic with Plastic’, which highlights marine plastic pollution and explores future sustainable relationships with plastic.

These podcast series welcome young people involved …

How Solid Waste Management and Social Issues are Intertwined

When it comes to solid waste management, Professor Maria Antonia N. Tanchuling likes to look at the issue taking into account their strong social factors. She sees that the two things are intertwined, especially in her home country of …

Four Partners to Work with IGES, ERIA on Applying Behavioural Insights to Reduce Plastic Consumption and Waste

26 December 2022: The Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES), a non-profit policy research institute in Japan, launched a project to test the effectiveness of behavioural insights in reducing the use and waste of single-use plastics in …

Extended Producer Responsibility in Asia: Fostering Peer-to-peer Learning, Understanding Unique Local Challenges

23 November 2022: The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in collaboration with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) co-hosted a hybrid seminar entitled “The Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) …

Engaging Youth in Preventing Marine Plastic Pollution: Clean Up Day in Cambodia

Within the framework of Cambodian ASEAN Chairmanship support, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia held a youth engagement event entitled ‘Clean Up Day’ in two high schools …

Assessing Marine Plastic Pollution: Site Visit to Mangrove Forest and Interceptor 001 in Jakarta Bay Area

9 November 2022: A group of experts on marine plastic debris working in ASEAN+3 region visited the Jakarta Bay area to observe plastic pollution affecting the mangrove forest as well as to visit The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptor 001 in …

The 3rd ERIA’s Experts Working Group on Marine Plastic Debris: Stocktaking and Future Work

8 November 2022: The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in collaboration with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) co-hosted the Third ERIA’s Experts Working Group on Marine Plastic Debris hybrid …

The Keys to Sustainable Society: Habit, Younger Generation, and ESG Investment

A waste management expert from Japan pointed out three important factors that can influence consumer behaviour to build a more sustainable society: Habit, awareness among young people, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investment.

Dr Misuzu Asari, Associate …

Entrepreneurship in the Environmental Field: Insights from Women-led Businesses on Tackling Plastic Waste

The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) through a collaboration between the Entrepreneurship, Startups, and Innovation (E-S-I) Knowledge Lab and the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) hosted a webinar today titled ‘Female Entrepreneurs …

Call for Proposals: Piloting the Application of Behavioural Insights for Plastic Reduction

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), a not-for-profit policy research institute in Japan, launched a project to test the effectiveness of behavioural insights to reduce the use and waste of single-use plastics in cities and communities. The project …

ERIA and Cambodia MoE Joint Activities: 5R Program Launch, Site Visit to Peam Krasoap Wildlife Sanctuary

The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia held joint events to launch the 5R Program and visited the Community Protected Area of Peam Krasoap Wildlife Sanctuary, Koh Kong, Cambodia. …

Eco-School Program Aims to Raise Youth’s Awareness on Marine Plastic Waste

The button on the Zoom screen indicated that there were about 366 participants for the Eco-School class that morning last September. But in reality, about 900 students of Ateneo de Davao University Junior High School in Davao City, the

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Long Pathway to Reduce Plastic Waste: ERIA and the Ministry of Environment Cambodia Joint Workshop on Zero Plastic Waste

The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia held a joint workshop today on Zero Plastic Waste for Public and Private Sectors and Communities in Koh Kong, Cambodia. The event …

ERIA Publishes Policy Recommendations on the Role of the G20 Towards an International Agreement on Plastic Pollution

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Entrepreneurship Skill: Unlocking the Potential Value of Plastics

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The Way Forward for a Stronger Regional and International Cooperation on Marine Plastic Debris

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TONTOTON: A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Plastic Pollution Crisis in Cambodia

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Plastic Waste Management: Future Opportunities and Private Sector’s Good Practices in Cambodia

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Celebrating Japan’s Sea Day: Small Company in Microplastic Leakage Research and Strives for Innovation

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The Way Forward for a Stronger Regional and International Cooperation on Marine Plastic Debris

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Waste Reduction by Indonesian Producers: Opportunities and Challenges towards Sustainable Business

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Why Solid Waste Management is Essential for Undertaking Plastic Waste

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ERIA and AIT Launched a Project on Plastic Leakage Prevention from Factories and Informal Recycling Sector

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EPR for Plastics in Viet Nam: Challenges and Opportunities

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The OECD Global Plastics Outlook: The Facts from the Field

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The 2nd ERIA’s Experts Working Group on Marine Plastic Debris: Ways Forward

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Toward Plastic Waste-Free Thailand: Single-Use Plastic Reduction and Replacement

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Leading by Examples: A Call for Action to Combat Marine Plastic Litter during Rainy Days

26 January 2022: Rainy season exacerbates the existing marine plastic issue. Heavy rain accelerates the amount of plastic leakage and generates accumulation of plastic in the oceans. The occurrence can not only cause annual floods, but also bring harmful …

Innovation as a Driver to Tackle Marine Plastics: The Private Sector in Malaysia in Support of the National Goals

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Crossing The Border Without Passport: Where Our Plastics End Up

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Building Synergy and Collaboration on Plastics in the ASEAN Member States

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Keeping Up with the Increasing Plastic Waste: Voluntary Initiatives Alone No Longer Enough

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ERIA Becomes Observer Organization of Japans CLOMA to Address Marine Plastic Pollutions in ASEAN+3 countries

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ASEAN on Point Public Forum: How Policies can Support the Private Sector in Combatting Marine Plastic Debris

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President of ERIA Participates in the 17th ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministers Meeting

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ERIA Co-Hosts the First Experts Working Group on Marine Plastic Debris

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Ocean Under Stress: The Insidious Effects of Microplastics on Our Coral Reef

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How Private Companies in Indonesia Combat Marine Plastic Debris: Private Sector Plays Fundamental Role to Utilizing Plastic Waste

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How Plastics Ingestion is Killing the Marine Life in the Philippines

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The Role of Policies in Supporting the Private Sector in Combatting Marine Plastic Debris

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RKC-MPD ERIA Recognized as Key Regional Initiative in ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combatting Marine Debris

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Environmental and Sustainability Challenges in the Mekong Subregion

The Mekong Subregion

Applying the extended producer responsibility towards plastic waste in Asian developing countries for reducing marine plastic debris

The extended producer

ERIA-IGES Joint Webinar on Estimating Plastic Waste and Pollution for Data-driven Policy Making in Emerging Economies at the occasion of 7th 3RINCs

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Strengthening Capacity for Marine Debris Reduction and Waste Management in ASEAN Region through Knowledge Sharing on Marine Litter

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IGES and ERIA Sign MoU to Strengthen Policy Research for Circular Economy and Prevention of Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN+3 Countries

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Regional Waste Management Inter-municipal Cooperation and Public and Private Partnership

To reduce the

Marine Lives Matter: Plastic Bag Bans in Japan and Jakarta and Further Actions to Reduce Marine Plastics

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ERIA-AIPA Online Joint Dialogue on Waste Management in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic

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Strengthening Waste Management Policies to Mitigate the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus (COVID-19)

ERIA Presents Video on RKC-MPD in Honour of Earth Day

Jakarta, 22 April 2020: The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) is honouring the Earth Day 2020 with a 3-minute video on the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD), a new …

Tackling Marine Plastic Pollution

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ERIA’s President Announces RKC-MPD’s Establishment in 15th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment

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Financial Support is Needed to Overcome the Regional Waste Management Issues in Indonesia and Other Asian Countries

Jakarta, 18 September 2019: Experts in waste management issues, private sector, and policymakers attended a seminar on ‘Regional Waste Management in Indonesia and Other Asian Countries’ in Jakarta on 18 September 2019, organised by the Economic Research Institute …