Events

The Fifth Meeting of the WGML served as a preparatory meeting for the third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3), to discuss the role of the Regional Activity Centre on marine pollution and hosting arrangements of the Regional Node, to provide an update of activities toward achieving the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI), and to identify priorities for the next biennial workplan for implementation of the RAP MALI 2025-2026.

Following the adoption of the Marine and Coastal Ecosystems (MCE) Framework and establishment of the WGMCE, the inaugural Meeting will serve to introduce members, discuss operationalization of the WGMCE, and identify priority activities toward developing the biennial workplan for implementation of the MCE Framework that would be presented in IGM 26.

The meeting will provide an update of ongoing marine litter activities, including SEA circular, and present the projects and initiatives in the pipeline, as well as updates on relevant regional and global processes. WGML focal points will provide input to the biennial workplan for implementation of the RAP MALI and the Regional Guidance on Harmonized National Marine Litter Monitoring Programmes.

In preparation for the Twenty-fifth Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM 25) of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), the Third Meeting of the COBSEA Working Group on Marine Litter was held virtually on 29 and 30 June 2021.

The 24th Intergovernmental Meeting of COBSEA adopted the revised COBSEA Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI). This includes Terms of Reference for the COBSEA Working Group on Marine Litter (WGML), promoting the implementation of the RAP MALI and providing strategic and technical support to the IGM and COBSEA Secretariat.