Convenor

Convenor

Marine Plastics ODA Project, PEMSEA Resource Facility

 

Venue

TBC

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 of this session include:

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

Program

Time	Agenda	Note
OPENING
10:00-10:20	Welcome remarks Congratulatory remarks Congratulatory remarks	Ms. Aimee T. Gonzales Executive Director PEMSEA Hon. Mr. Song Myungdal Vice Minister Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, RO Korea Mr. Celestino da Cunha Barreto Director General for Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Timor-Leste
PART 1. KEY NOTE PRESENTATION
10:20-10:40	Plastics pollution in the East Asian Seas Region: Status and Perspectives	Dr. Maria Antonia Tanchuling Dean School of Engineering University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
10:40-11:00	Group photo and coffee break