THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday launched a regional action plan for combating marine pollution for the 2021-25 period, which provides a scalable, solution-focused joint strategy to address marine plastic debris across the region.

Plastic is estimated to account for 80 per cent of all marine debris in the oceans. In six of the 10 ASEAN members, over 31 million tonne of plastic waste is generated a year.

While many of them are engaged in national efforts to combat plastic waste, shared river systems, connected coastlines and the international trade in plastic products and plastic waste exacerbate the threat. The sudden increase in single-use plastics and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 crisis has put additional stress on countries working to tackle marine plastic debris.

"Our seas and coasts are vital for our lives and livelihoods, however they are under immense pressure, especially due to marine plastic pollution, which has the potential to damage human health as well as decimate the tourism and fishing industries that are vital to the region’s economies," said Mr Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN.

The action plan will be implemented over the next five years, highlighting many opportunities for members to catalyse, collaborate and apply long-term solutions relating to plastics usage and plastic management. It includes 14 regional actions across four pillars of policy support and planning; research, innovation and capacity building; public awareness, education and outreach; and private sector engagement.

It will supports ASEAN’s overall commitment to tackle the challenge by reducing plastic inputs into the system, enhancing collection and minimising leakage, as well as creating value for waste reuse.

The actions include guidelines for countries to phase out single-use plastics, harmonise regional policies on recycling and plastics packaging standards, and strengthen regional measurement and monitoring of marine debris.