Convenor

• Marine Plastics ODA Project
• PEMSEA Resource Facility

Overview

Plastic pollution is a severe global challenge, threatening the health of our planet and its diverse species. The IUCN Issue Brief (May 2024) reveals that annually, approximately 460 million tons of plastic are produced, with 20 million tons ending up in the oceans. This influx has devastating effects, including suffocation, starvation, and injury to marine life, leading to declines in populations and even the extinction of some species. Furthermore, plastic pollution has far-reaching economic impacts, affecting industries such as tourism, fishing, and shipping, while also contributing to the depletion of natural resources and biodiversity, both crucial for human well-being and economic prosperity.

The East Asia Seas region is particularly vulnerable to marine plastic pollution, with countries in the area being among the largest contributors to this global issue. A study by the Ocean Conservancy (Stemming the Tide, 2015) identified five Southeast Asian countries – China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam – as responsible for 60% of the plastic waste entering the ocean worldwide.

In response to this pressing issue, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) of the Republic of Korea have launched an Official Development Assistance (ODA) project titled “Reducing Marine Plastic Litter in the East Asia Seas” in 2023, a six-year (2023-2028) initiative with total funding of US$9M from MOF.

The ODA project aims to improve local governance on marine plastic management, demonstrate best practices and innovative solutions for reducing marine plastics and marine plastic management, conduct beach monitoring on marine plastics and litter, and raise capacity and awareness and improve communication among stakeholders and public on the impact of marine plastics on the environment, human health and economy. This endeavor involves collaboration with Local Government Units (LGUs), including six LGUs in the Philippines (Bulan Municipality, Puerto Princesa City, Calbayog City, Daanbantayan Municipality, Dipolog City and Tandag City) and four municipalities in Timor-Leste (Dili, Atauro, Manatuto and Liquica).

Objectives

Objectives of this session include:

1. 1. Report the outputs of the 2 years of implementation at local sites;
   2. Share experiences and lesson learned at the local sites; and
   3. Discuss way forward on the project implementation

Programme

MC: Klyra Orbien, PEMSEA

Time	Agenda	Note
OPENING
10:00-10:10	Welcome remarks	Ms. Aimee T. Gonzales Executive Director PEMSEA
	Congratulatory remarks	Hon. Ms. Donalyn U. Minimo Assistant Secretary OIC – International Finance Group (IFC) Department of Finance Philippines
	Congratulatory remarks	Hon. Mr. Yoon Hyunsoo Deputy Minister / Commissioner Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Republic of Korea
	Congratulatory remarks	Hon. Mr. Domingos da C. dos Santos Secretary of State for Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF), Timor-Leste
10:10-10:20	Signing Ceremony MOU between MALFF of Timor-Leste and PEMSEA on Marine Plastics ODA Project Implementation	Mr. Domingos da C. dos Santos representing the government of Timor-Leste and Ms. Aimee Gonzales representing PEMSEA
PART 1. KEY NOTE PRESENTATION
10:20-10:40	Plastic Pollution in the East Asian Seas Region: Status and Perspectives	Dr. Maria Antonia Tanchuling Dean, College of Engineering University of the Philippines
10:40-11:00	Group photo and coffee break
PART 2. MAJOR OUTPUTS OF THE ODA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
11:00-11:10	Project Brief on Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region	Dr. Won-Tae Shin Regional Project Manager MOF/PEMSEA ODA Project PEMSEA
11:10-11:30	The role of NGOs in Marine Plastics Management: Marine Environment Protector Program of the ODA project	Mr. Mamerto Q. Rodrigo Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) Daanbantayan Municipality, Philippines
11:30-11:50	Marine plastics beach monitoring: Findings and Lessons learned from Timor-Leste	Mr. Walter Oliveira Soares Beach Monitoring Coordinator National University of Timor-Leste Dili, Timor-Leste
11:50-12:00	Questions and answers
12:00-14:00	Lunch break
14:30-15:00	Local Actions Toward Enhancing Marine Plastics Management	Mr. Mikhail Paolo D. Rosil MENRO Office Bulan Municipality Philippines
15:00-15:30	Pilot project proposals on innovative solutions for effective management of marine plastics	Ms. Haidee Piniero Consultant PEMSEA
15:30-16:00	Coffee break
PART 3. OPEN DISCUSSION
16:00-17:00	Discussion Topics Innovative solutions suitable for local situations Suggestions on beach monitoring for improvement Elements for improving the Marine Environment Protector Program	Moderator: Dr. Won-Tae Shin Regional Project Manager MOF/PEMSEA ODA Project PEMSEA Representatives of the Project sites are encouraged to share their ideas of the pilot project
CLOSING
17:00-17:30	Conclusions and Recommendations	Dr. Won-Tae Shin Regional Project Manager MOF/PEMSEA ODA Project PEMSEA