Jakarta, 18 February 2025: ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, in collaboration with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), convened for the sixth Experts Working Group (EWG) on Marine Plastic Debris in a hybrid format in Jakarta.
The event, which brought together regional experts, aimed to foster dialogue, exchange insights, and develop actionable solutions to pressing issues in the ASEAN region. It also played an important role in supporting the work of the Regional Knowledge Centre.
This first EWG meeting of 2025 focused on four key topics, each addressing critical aspects of marine plastic debris management. Discussions underscored the importance of regional collaboration, data-driven policymaking, and innovative approaches to tackle plastic pollution at its source.
The EWG introduced the development of the tentatively titled ‘ASEAN Book Project’, which will focus on plastic pollution and its countermeasures in Southeast and East Asia. The book will serve as one of the EWG’s key outcomes and form the basis for capacity building and training of policymakers in ASEAN+3 member states.
According to Mr Reo Kawamura, Director for ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre, the book is planned to comprise approximately 25 chapters, each spanning 10–15 pages. Topics will include the status quo and outlook of plastic pollution, ecological effects and human health concerns, waste management and recycling efforts, plastic leakage prevention, single-use plastic (SUP) reduction and alternative materials, global and regional initiatives, and case studies from ASEAN+3 member states. The book will also address the plastic value chain through measures such as extended producer responsibility (EPR). During the meeting, experts provided feedback on the draft table of contents and suggested potential contributors, emphasising the need for a holistic approach that integrates scientific evidence with practical policy insights.
Prof. Agamuthu Pariatamby from the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development at Sunway University highlighted the importance of dedicated chapters on microplastics, given their growing ecological and health impacts. Meanwhile, Dr Yulu Liu, Research Fellow at the NUS Centre for International Law, stressed the need for cross-referencing between thematic chapters and country-specific case studies to ensure a cohesive and actionable resource.
Building on the outcomes of the 5th EWG meeting in March 2024, Mr Michikazu Kojima, Senior Research Fellow at the Regional Knowledge Centre, emphasised the importance of addressing data challenges and strengthening EPR systems in ASEAN as ERIA continues its work in 2025. The experts reviewed ERIA’s activities for 2025, including the finalisation of knowledge products aimed at addressing data-sharing challenges and enhancing understanding of EPR implementation in ASEAN.
Following the ASEAN Declaration on Plastic Circularity at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane on 9 October 2024, experts suggested further steps to advance the Regional Action Plan (RAP). These considerations will be incorporated as ERIA prepares the ASEAN Conference on Combating Plastic Pollution (ACCPP), one of its 2025 flagship events, which will be held in Malaysia.
In light of the conclusion from the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.1) and a side event organised by ERIA and IGES in Busan, South Korea, in December 2024, experts deliberated on the outcomes and their implications for ASEAN. Dr Yasuhiko Hotta, Programme Director at IGES, provided a detailed analysis of the negotiations, highlighting the challenges of reaching consensus on key issues such as upstream production controls and chemical regulations.
Experts agreed on the need for ASEAN to present a unified voice in future INC sessions, particularly regarding EPR and waste management. They also explored the potential establishment of a scientific advisory body to support treaty negotiations and policymaking, given the limited focus on scientific discussions during the INC sessions. In response, ERIA and IGES proposed the establishment an Expert Working Group on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) within the Regional Knowledge Centre.
Discussions also covered technical solutions to reduce plastic leakage, including policy designs for single-use plastic (SUP) reduction, microplastics monitoring, and abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). Dr Junko Toyoshima, Research Manager at IGES, highlighted the need for improved monitoring, retrieval, and recycling systems for fishing gear to reduce marine pollution.
Dr Chen Liu, Research Manager at IGES, presented findings on post-COVID-19 single-use plastic consumption trends, emphasising the need for adaptive management strategies. Dr Pham Ngoc Bao, Deputy Director of Adaptation and Water Area at IGES, shared insights on public attitudes towards plastic pollution and addressed the training needs for microplastics sampling and analysis, particularly in the Philippines.
To tackle these challenges, Mr Dwayne Appleby, Programme Manager at IGES, provided updates on Phase II of the Breaking the Plastic Habit in ASEAN initiative, which aims to promote behavioural change through education and community engagement. A new Behavioural Lab will be launched as part of this initiative, marking a collaborative effort involving ERIA, IGES, and other regional partners to develop practical tools for policymakers and practitioners.
The sixth EWG meeting reinforced the importance of regional collaboration and data-driven approaches to combat marine plastic pollution. As ASEAN countries continue to implement national action plans and advance EPR systems, the insights and recommendations from this meeting will play a crucial role in shaping future policies and initiatives.
Research Associate for Capacity Building
Jakarta, 18 February 2025: ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, in collaboration with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), convened for the sixth Experts Working Group (EWG) on Marine Plastic Debris in a hybrid format in Jakarta.
The event, which brought together regional experts, aimed to foster dialogue, exchange insights, and develop actionable solutions to pressing issues in the ASEAN region. It also played an important role in supporting the work of the Regional Knowledge Centre.
This first EWG meeting of 2025 focused on four key topics, each addressing critical aspects of marine plastic debris management. Discussions underscored the importance of regional collaboration, data-driven policymaking, and innovative approaches to tackle plastic pollution at its source.
The EWG introduced the development of the tentatively titled ‘ASEAN Book Project’, which will focus on plastic pollution and its countermeasures in Southeast and East Asia. The book will serve as one of the EWG’s key outcomes and form the basis for capacity building and training of policymakers in ASEAN+3 member states.
According to Mr Reo Kawamura, Director for ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre, the book is planned to comprise approximately 25 chapters, each spanning 10–15 pages. Topics will include the status quo and outlook of plastic pollution, ecological effects and human health concerns, waste management and recycling efforts, plastic leakage prevention, single-use plastic (SUP) reduction and alternative materials, global and regional initiatives, and case studies from ASEAN+3 member states. The book will also address the plastic value chain through measures such as extended producer responsibility (EPR). During the meeting, experts provided feedback on the draft table of contents and suggested potential contributors, emphasising the need for a holistic approach that integrates scientific evidence with practical policy insights.
Prof. Agamuthu Pariatamby from the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development at Sunway University highlighted the importance of dedicated chapters on microplastics, given their growing ecological and health impacts. Meanwhile, Dr Yulu Liu, Research Fellow at the NUS Centre for International Law, stressed the need for cross-referencing between thematic chapters and country-specific case studies to ensure a cohesive and actionable resource.
Building on the outcomes of the 5th EWG meeting in March 2024, Mr Michikazu Kojima, Senior Research Fellow at the Regional Knowledge Centre, emphasised the importance of addressing data challenges and strengthening EPR systems in ASEAN as ERIA continues its work in 2025. The experts reviewed ERIA’s activities for 2025, including the finalisation of knowledge products aimed at addressing data-sharing challenges and enhancing understanding of EPR implementation in ASEAN.
Following the ASEAN Declaration on Plastic Circularity at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane on 9 October 2024, experts suggested further steps to advance the Regional Action Plan (RAP). These considerations will be incorporated as ERIA prepares the ASEAN Conference on Combating Plastic Pollution (ACCPP), one of its 2025 flagship events, which will be held in Malaysia.
In light of the conclusion from the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.1) and a side event organised by ERIA and IGES in Busan, South Korea, in December 2024, experts deliberated on the outcomes and their implications for ASEAN. Dr Yasuhiko Hotta, Programme Director at IGES, provided a detailed analysis of the negotiations, highlighting the challenges of reaching consensus on key issues such as upstream production controls and chemical regulations.
Experts agreed on the need for ASEAN to present a unified voice in future INC sessions, particularly regarding EPR and waste management. They also explored the potential establishment of a scientific advisory body to support treaty negotiations and policymaking, given the limited focus on scientific discussions during the INC sessions. In response, ERIA and IGES proposed the establishment an Expert Working Group on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) within the Regional Knowledge Centre.
Discussions also covered technical solutions to reduce plastic leakage, including policy designs for single-use plastic (SUP) reduction, microplastics monitoring, and abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). Dr Junko Toyoshima, Research Manager at IGES, highlighted the need for improved monitoring, retrieval, and recycling systems for fishing gear to reduce marine pollution.
Dr Chen Liu, Research Manager at IGES, presented findings on post-COVID-19 single-use plastic consumption trends, emphasising the need for adaptive management strategies. Dr Pham Ngoc Bao, Deputy Director of Adaptation and Water Area at IGES, shared insights on public attitudes towards plastic pollution and addressed the training needs for microplastics sampling and analysis, particularly in the Philippines.
To tackle these challenges, Mr Dwayne Appleby, Programme Manager at IGES, provided updates on Phase II of the Breaking the Plastic Habit in ASEAN initiative, which aims to promote behavioural change through education and community engagement. A new Behavioural Lab will be launched as part of this initiative, marking a collaborative effort involving ERIA, IGES, and other regional partners to develop practical tools for policymakers and practitioners.
The sixth EWG meeting reinforced the importance of regional collaboration and data-driven approaches to combat marine plastic pollution. As ASEAN countries continue to implement national action plans and advance EPR systems, the insights and recommendations from this meeting will play a crucial role in shaping future policies and initiatives.
Research Associate for Capacity Building
