INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT

ASEAN Initiatives
COBSEA Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter
G20 Summit and Osaka Blue Ocean Vision
Mekong River Commission
The 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)
The 1989 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (Basel Convention)
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

International Agreement: ASEAN Initiatives

The ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris covers various actions (see Table 1) and suggested activities to reduce marine debris in the Southeast Asian region. The suggested activities are those for further discussion by ASEAN and its partners under the proposed regional action plan on combating marine debris in the ASEAN region.

Table 1. Proposed Actions in the ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris

International Agreement: ASEAN Initiatives (Table 1)

Framework Action
Framework I: Policy Support and Planning A. Promote regional policy dialogue on prevention and reduction of marine debris from land- and sea-based activities by highlighting the issue, sharing information and knowledge, and strengthening regional coordination
B. Mainstream multi-sectoral policy measures to address marine debris in national and ASEAN’s development agenda and priorities.
C. Encourage ASEAN Member States to implement relevant international laws and agreements related to waste management- such as MARPOL Annex V ship generated waste, Basel Convention, and UN Environment Assembly resolutions 3/7 on Marine Litter and Microplastics.
D. Develop a regional action plan on combating marine debris in the ASEAN Region by applying integrated land-tosea policy approaches.
Framework II: Research, Innovation and Capacity Building A. Compile regional baseline on status and impacts of marine debris in the ASEAN Region.
B. Strengthen regional, national and local capacities to develop and implement national action plans/initiatives.
C. Enhance scientific knowledge, transfer marine technology and promote innovative solution to combat marine debris.
D. Promote integration and application of scientific knowledge to enhance science-based decisions and policies on marine debris prevention and management.
Framework III: Public Awareness, Education and Outreach A. Promote public awareness on status and impacts of marine debris and microplastics.
B. Accelerate advocacy strategy/programme to promote behavior change to combat marine debris, and to incorporate marine debris issue into ASEAN’s Culture of Prevention Initiative.
C. Promote platforms for knowledge sharing, innovative solutions and best practices to combat marine debris.
Framework IV: Private Sector Engagement A. Promote collaborative actions with private sector and industry associations to implement measures to address marine debris issues.
B. Encourage private sector investment in and contribution to combat marine debris.

Source: ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris.

Started at the ASEAN Conference on Reducing Marine Debris in ASEAN Region in Phuket, Thailand, in November 2017, the initiative identified five pillars of action: policy support and strengthening; capacity building; education, research, and innovation; private sector engagement; and public awareness and outreach. Prior to the conference, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Conference on Combating Marine Plastic Debris, held in Bali, Indonesia, in September 2017, recommended proposing actions such as campaign, research, and education on marine debris, and policy reform and regulatory enforcement (Chairman’s Statement of the 12th East Asia Summit).

In January 2019, the Coordination Meeting on Marine Debris Action in ASEAN Region was organised prior to the 20th meeting of the ASEAN Working on Coastal and Marine Environment. The coordination meeting rearranged the five pillars of action into to four frameworks: policy support and planning; research, innovation, and capacity building; public awareness, education, and outreach; and private sector engagement. The coordination meeting also identified various actions and suggested activities under these frameworks.

On 5 March 2019, the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Marine Debris, held in Bangkok, Thailand, welcomed the ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris, and agreed to forward the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN Region for consideration and adoption by the ASEAN leaders at the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. In June 2019, the Bangkok Declaration was adopted at the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok. The framework of action was welcomed by the ASEAN summit.

As a follow up, the World Bank has supported the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, as chair of the ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment in 2020, in the preparation of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021–2025). The plan, launched on 28 May 2021, with financial support and technical guidance from the World Bank through PROBLUE, an umbrella multi-donor trust fund, offers an integrated approach to address marine plastic pollution in ASEAN over the next 5 years through 14 regional actions (see Table 2) at three key stages of plastic waste value chain: (1) reducing inputs into the system, (2) enhancing collection and minimising leakage, and (3) creating value for waste reuse.

Table 2. Regional Actions in the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021–2025)

International Agreement: ASEAN Initiatives (Table 2)

Framework Stages of Plastic Waste Value Chain
Reducing inputs into the s­ystem Enhancing collection and minimising leakage Creating value for waste reuse
Framework I: Policy Support and Planning 2. Guiding principles for phasing out select single-use plastics 1. Regional guidebook on financial mechanisms for investments in plastic waste management 3. Regional guidebook on standards for responsible plastic waste trade, sorted plastic waste and recycled plastics
4. Best practice manual for development of minimum standards and technical requirements for plastic packaging and labeling 6. Best practice manual for reducing, collection and treatment of sea-based litter
5. Regional stocktaking of green public procurement
Framework II: Research, Innovation and Capacity Building 8. Strengthen ASEAN regional knowledge network on marine plastics 7. Guidebook for common methodologies for assessment and monitoring of marine litter
9. Regional study on microplastics 10. Coordinate regional training programs on plastics and waste management
Framework III: Public Awareness, Education and Outreach 11. Behavioural change communication strategy playbook 12. Enhance regional awareness for consumers of labeling of plastics and packaging
Framework IV: Private Sector Engagement 13. Establish a regional platform for EPR knowledge support and implementation support 14. Establish a regional platform to support innovation and investments in plastics and plastic waste management

Source: ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021–2025).

References

Chairman’s Statement of the 12th East Asia Summit, 14 November 2017, Manila, Philippines. https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000309985.pdf (accessed 26 October 2020).

Chairman’s Statement of the 34th ASEAN Summit, Bangkok, 23 June 2019, Advancing Partnership for Sustainability. https://asean.org/storage/2019/06/Final_Chairs-Statement-of-the-34th-ASEAN-Summit_as-of-23-June-2019-12….pdf (accessed 26 October 2020).

ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris. https://asean.org/storage/2019/06/3.-ASEAN-Framework-of-Action-on-Marine-Debris-FINAL.pdf (accessed 26 October 2020).

ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021–2025). https://asean.org/book/asean-regional-action-plan-for-combating-marine-debris-in-the-asean-member-states-2021-2025-2/ (accessed 2 June 2021).