Iloilo City, 19-23 March 2024: Entering the fourth year of implementing the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris, member states have made significant strides in promoting sustainable plastic consumption and improving waste management. A pivotal driver of this progress has been the active exchange of knowledge and collaborative actions among stakeholders at both national and regional levels.
One notable regional initiative aimed at enhancing capacities to tackle plastic pollution is the ASEAN-German project “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to Protect the Marine Environment and Coral Reefs” (3RproMar), spearheaded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Recently, the project convened its 3rd Regional Workshop in Iloilo City from March 19th to 23rd, under the theme of “From Knowledge to Action: Facilitating Concrete Efforts for Enhanced Land-Based Marine Litter Prevention in ASEAN”.
By bringing together more than 100 key stakeholders from governments, academia, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across four focal countries of the project—Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam—the workshop served as a crucial platform for fostering stronger regional cooperation and facilitating information sharing.
One of the project’s regional components, the 3RproMar Knowledge Partnership for Marine Litter Prevention in ASEAN, aims to equip member states with essential data and knowledge for robust policy development. During the workshop, members of the Knowledge Partnership shed light on their progress in bridging knowledge gaps in the region.
The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris introduced forthcoming guidelines focused on preventing plastic leakage from the recycling industry and promoting behavioral change from single-use plastic. Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the centre, stressed the necessity of practical knowledge products to effectively translate insights into strategic interventions.
Similarly, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) shared their initiatives, including the development of a waste management database and an interactive tool to model microplastic flow.
These collaborative efforts were warmly received by member states, highlighting the urgency to amplify dissemination to reach broader audiences. Additionally, participants unanimously underscored the imperative of leveraging disseminated knowledge to inform policymaking and drive actionable strategies at the local level.
Expanding on the theme of knowledge dissemination, the workshop also delved into the topics of microplastics, with researchers from both within and outside the region offering insight into the current landscape of microplastics studies and monitoring efforts. Interactive group discussions on behavioral change and extended producer responsibility (EPR) further engaged participants, highlighting the multifaceted approach needed to address plastic pollution effectively.
Also read: GIZ 3RproMar 3rd Regional Workshop: ERIA RKC-MPD Soft Launches an EPR-Dedicated Webpage
In discussing the impending fourth round of negotiations for the development of the Global Plastics Treaty, workshop participants underscored the importance of ensuring that the Treaty would serve the benefit of the ASEAN Member States (AMS), catalyzing a systemic change towards a sustainable plastics economy. Moreover, there was a resounding call for coordinated action across all levels to ensure a just transition that is fair and inclusive for all stakeholders involved.
Upon the formalization and implementation of the Treaty, the responsibility will rest upon each nation to translate its provisions into actionable initiatives not only at the national level but also at grassroot levels where tangible changes are made. Representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam shared insights into governmental initiatives—ranging from regulatory frameworks to educational campaigns—aimed at aligning with the Treaty’s objectives. Additionally, four local pilot projects on sustainable waste management implemented by the 3RproMar project were showcased.
Among these pilot projects was one implemented around the host city of the event. As a wrap up, the workshop invited participants to partake in field visits and learn more about Barangay San Rafael’s community-run material recovery facility in Iloilo City and the recycling improvement efforts underway in Guimaras Island.
Also read: [Site visits articles]
Communication Team
Iloilo City, 19-23 March 2024: Entering the fourth year of implementing the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris, member states have made significant strides in promoting sustainable plastic consumption and improving waste management. A pivotal driver of this progress has been the active exchange of knowledge and collaborative actions among stakeholders at both national and regional levels.
One notable regional initiative aimed at enhancing capacities to tackle plastic pollution is the ASEAN-German project “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to Protect the Marine Environment and Coral Reefs” (3RproMar), spearheaded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Recently, the project convened its 3rd Regional Workshop in Iloilo City from March 19th to 23rd, under the theme of “From Knowledge to Action: Facilitating Concrete Efforts for Enhanced Land-Based Marine Litter Prevention in ASEAN”.
By bringing together more than 100 key stakeholders from governments, academia, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across four focal countries of the project—Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam—the workshop served as a crucial platform for fostering stronger regional cooperation and facilitating information sharing.
One of the project’s regional components, the 3RproMar Knowledge Partnership for Marine Litter Prevention in ASEAN, aims to equip member states with essential data and knowledge for robust policy development. During the workshop, members of the Knowledge Partnership shed light on their progress in bridging knowledge gaps in the region.
The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris introduced forthcoming guidelines focused on preventing plastic leakage from the recycling industry and promoting behavioral change from single-use plastic. Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the centre, stressed the necessity of practical knowledge products to effectively translate insights into strategic interventions.
Similarly, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) shared their initiatives, including the development of a waste management database and an interactive tool to model microplastic flow.
These collaborative efforts were warmly received by member states, highlighting the urgency to amplify dissemination to reach broader audiences. Additionally, participants unanimously underscored the imperative of leveraging disseminated knowledge to inform policymaking and drive actionable strategies at the local level.
Expanding on the theme of knowledge dissemination, the workshop also delved into the topics of microplastics, with researchers from both within and outside the region offering insight into the current landscape of microplastics studies and monitoring efforts. Interactive group discussions on behavioral change and extended producer responsibility (EPR) further engaged participants, highlighting the multifaceted approach needed to address plastic pollution effectively.
Also read: GIZ 3RproMar 3rd Regional Workshop: ERIA RKC-MPD Soft Launches an EPR-Dedicated Webpage
In discussing the impending fourth round of negotiations for the development of the Global Plastics Treaty, workshop participants underscored the importance of ensuring that the Treaty would serve the benefit of the ASEAN Member States (AMS), catalyzing a systemic change towards a sustainable plastics economy. Moreover, there was a resounding call for coordinated action across all levels to ensure a just transition that is fair and inclusive for all stakeholders involved.
Upon the formalization and implementation of the Treaty, the responsibility will rest upon each nation to translate its provisions into actionable initiatives not only at the national level but also at grassroot levels where tangible changes are made. Representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam shared insights into governmental initiatives—ranging from regulatory frameworks to educational campaigns—aimed at aligning with the Treaty’s objectives. Additionally, four local pilot projects on sustainable waste management implemented by the 3RproMar project were showcased.
Among these pilot projects was one implemented around the host city of the event. As a wrap up, the workshop invited participants to partake in field visits and learn more about Barangay San Rafael’s community-run material recovery facility in Iloilo City and the recycling improvement efforts underway in Guimaras Island.
Also read: [Site visits articles]
Communication Team
