29 Mar 2023 Story Oceans & seas

Catalysing Local and National Action on Plastic Pollution to Achieve Regional Priorities and Global Goals in South-East and East Asia

Bangkok, Thailand, 29 March 2023 – The Secretariats of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) and the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP), the United Nations Environment Programme, UN-Habitat, and the Government of the Republic of Korea co-organised a side event titled ‘Catalysing Local and National Action on Plastic Pollution to Achieve Regional Priorities and Global Goals in South-East and East Asia’ within the framework of the 10th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD).

Bringing together representatives from various levels, including governments, international organisations and academia, to share their experiences and explore ways to replicate good practices. During the event, the panel emphasised the key role of local and national governments, civil society organisations, the private sector, and consumers in addressing plastic pollution. They also stressed the importance of working together, sharing best practices, and supporting each other to develop and implement effective policies and practices.

The event served as a platform for knowledge exchange and drew attention to the urgent need for regional partnerships and cooperation to address the issue of plastic pollution in oceans. It highlighted the importance of leveraging existing regional mechanisms to strengthen cooperation on marine litter to achieve both regional priorities and global goals.

APFSD1The 10th APFSD, an annual intergovernmental forum aimed at supporting follow-up and review of progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the regional level,  was held from 27 to 30 March in Bangkok, Thailand.

APFSD2Overall, the event provided valuable insights into the importance of collaboration and partnerships in addressing the urgent issue of plastic pollution in oceans.

More details on the event could be found here: https://www.unep.org/cobsea/events/conference/catalysing-local-and-national-action-plastic-pollution-achieve-regional