ASEAN member countries have decided to sign a joint declaration proclaiming their vow to combat marine waste in the region, at a summit in Bangkok. This declaration is the first of its kind and is expected to “strengthen actions at the national level as well as through collaborative actions…to prevent and significantly reduce marine debris”.
Although some private businesses in the region have started taking steps towards sustainability, and adopted recyclable material instead of materials like single-use plastic, government policies have not shown the same attentiveness towards non-renewable waste that ends up in the ocean. The declaration aims to “strengthen national laws and regulations as well as enhance regional and international cooperation including on relevant policy dialogue and information sharing”.
