On 3 August 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand hosted the ASEM Meeting on “Sustainable Marine Environment: Marine Debris” at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Hotel Bangkok. On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, presided over the opening ceremony which was also attended by high-level executives including Ms. Isabelle Louis, Deputy Regional Director of the UN Environment Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific,  H.E. Mr. Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Socio-Cultural Community, and Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Kingdom of Thailand. Moreover, there were more than 180 participants representing ASEM members, international organisations, government agencies, private sector, academia, local communities, and youths, attending the meeting.

 

              The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed in his opening remarks that the meeting was building upon the ASEM Symposium on Inter-Regional Partnership for Sustainable Development hosted by Thailand on 25 - 26 May 2017 in Bangkok. He also stressed that Thailand attached great importance to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 14: Life Below Water. Thailand’s tremendous efforts in combating IUU fishing are evident, especially in overhauling the country's fisheries industries and promoting the protection and restoration of coastal and marine environment. Marine debris is a transnational problem by nature with high environmental impact that would require international collaboration and commitment. Asia and Europe could, in this case, play larger roles in addressing marine pollution problems in a sustainable way at a global level. He also underlined Thailand’s commitment, as the Chair of ASEAN in 2019, to sustainable development including sustainable marine conservation and promotion of marine debris management.  

 

              During the meeting, participants from various sectors actively exchanged experiences and views on the environmental impact of marine debris, especially plastic waste and micro plastics. The meeting agreed that, to effectively tackle and mitigate the marine debris problem, collaborations and actions from all stakeholders  as well as changes in lifestyle, consumption and production should be promoted. The meeting also reiterated the importance of awareness on devastating effects of marine debris, effective land-based waste management, reduction of plastic use and plastic waste management, innovation and technology, as well as having the law and regulation on waste and pollution management. The meeting also recognised the importance of partnership and collaboration among ASEM members and the promotion of ASEM’s role as a platform for exchanging experiences on addressing marine debris problem.

 

              In addition, the panel discussion also exchanged views on best practices of ASEM members on marine waste management as an input for the draft “Proposal for Management Plan for Marine Debris Reduction in Asia and Europe”. The draft proposal would comprise (1) Policies and measures on marine debris reduction at source; (2) Measures to prevent, reduce and manage plastic waste; and (3) Measures to involve all stakeholders in addressing marine debris problem. Thailand would present this proposal during the 12th ASEM Summit in Brussels in October 2018.  

 

              On the same occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, in collaboration with Kasetsart University, Siam Cement Group Public Company Limited (SCG), PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC), Singha Estate Public Company Limited, Central Group, Tlejourn Group and Scrap Shop, co-organised the exhibition called “#INSEA – The Day the Ocean Is Without Plastic!” during 3 - 4 August 2018 at Central Plaza Lardprao, Bangkok. The exhibition aimed to showcase innovation, technologies and initiatives related to marine debris management and to raise awareness on the threats of marine debris and plastic waste, as well as to help inspire innovative thinking among the public, especially youth, to tackle the challenges on marine environment.