Virtual, 17 June 2026: The 9th meeting of ERIA's Experts Working Group (EWG) on Marine Plastic Debris was held online on 17 June 2026, organised by ERIA in collaboration with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).
The meeting marked the beginning of the EWG’s 2026–2027 administrative phase, which runs from June 2026 to July 2027. Two more EWG meetings have been planned for this period: one online and one in person. Eight experts from across ASEAN, representing a diverse range of disciplines and areas of expertise, have been selected to provide strategic advice to ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris throughout this phase.
During the opening session, Mr Reo Kawamura, Director for Environmental Policy and Director for the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, welcomed the EWG members and thanked them for their contributions to the recently published Phase I report of the ASEAN Plastic Book Project. He expressed his expectation that the 2026–2027 EWG cycle would further enrich policy discussions in ASEAN+3 and beyond.
Dr Yasuhiko Hotta, Research Director of the Sustainable Consumption and Production Area at IGES, reiterated the important role of the EWG in providing input not only to ASEAN institutions but also to international organisations. He highlighted the group's role in providing technical guidance and expert input to a range of knowledge products, including the OECD's Regional Plastics Outlook for Southeast and East Asia, published in 2025.
At the meeting, EWG members validated the framework for the new phase, including the group's scope of work, expected outputs, and meeting arrangements. They also endorsed the creation of an online profile page to enhance the visibility of the experts and showcase their contributions.
The meeting featured discussions on the following topics:
Preparation for Phase II of the ASEAN Plastic Book Project and discussion of the proposed book structure (ERIA)
Presentation of the final results of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Consumer Survey Study in ASEAN (ERIA)
Presentation of the final results of the Community-Based Waste Management Good Practices Study in Indonesia and introduction of the next survey project in the Philippines (ERIA)
Presentation of the ongoing study on Plastic Pollution in the Agricultural Sector in Indonesia (IGES)
Presentation of the study on Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in the Philippines (IGES)
Presentation of the ongoing study on the Upstream and Downstream Analysis of Plastic in ASEAN+3 (IGES)
The meeting concluded with an update on ERIA's capacity-building activities, including an overview of its 2026–2027 workplan and priorities. The next EWG meeting is expected to be held in person in November 2026.
Programme Manager
Virtual, 17 June 2026: The 9th meeting of ERIA's Experts Working Group (EWG) on Marine Plastic Debris was held online on 17 June 2026, organised by ERIA in collaboration with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).
The meeting marked the beginning of the EWG’s 2026–2027 administrative phase, which runs from June 2026 to July 2027. Two more EWG meetings have been planned for this period: one online and one in person. Eight experts from across ASEAN, representing a diverse range of disciplines and areas of expertise, have been selected to provide strategic advice to ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris throughout this phase.
During the opening session, Mr Reo Kawamura, Director for Environmental Policy and Director for the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, welcomed the EWG members and thanked them for their contributions to the recently published Phase I report of the ASEAN Plastic Book Project. He expressed his expectation that the 2026–2027 EWG cycle would further enrich policy discussions in ASEAN+3 and beyond.
Dr Yasuhiko Hotta, Research Director of the Sustainable Consumption and Production Area at IGES, reiterated the important role of the EWG in providing input not only to ASEAN institutions but also to international organisations. He highlighted the group's role in providing technical guidance and expert input to a range of knowledge products, including the OECD's Regional Plastics Outlook for Southeast and East Asia, published in 2025.
At the meeting, EWG members validated the framework for the new phase, including the group's scope of work, expected outputs, and meeting arrangements. They also endorsed the creation of an online profile page to enhance the visibility of the experts and showcase their contributions.
The meeting featured discussions on the following topics:
Preparation for Phase II of the ASEAN Plastic Book Project and discussion of the proposed book structure (ERIA)
Presentation of the final results of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Consumer Survey Study in ASEAN (ERIA)
Presentation of the final results of the Community-Based Waste Management Good Practices Study in Indonesia and introduction of the next survey project in the Philippines (ERIA)
Presentation of the ongoing study on Plastic Pollution in the Agricultural Sector in Indonesia (IGES)
Presentation of the study on Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in the Philippines (IGES)
Presentation of the ongoing study on the Upstream and Downstream Analysis of Plastic in ASEAN+3 (IGES)
The meeting concluded with an update on ERIA's capacity-building activities, including an overview of its 2026–2027 workplan and priorities. The next EWG meeting is expected to be held in person in November 2026.
Programme Manager
