Jakarta (VNA) – A two-day forum on policy and initiatives to manage marineplastic pollution in ASEAN member countries opened in Jakarta, Indonesia, onDecember 5.
Theforum attracted over 100 participants from Indonesian ministries, ASEANresearch institutes, the ASEAN Secretariat, and non-governmental organisations.
Discussionwas set to focus on current situation and impacts of ocean plastics, and regionalcollaboration and initiatives related to the issue. The event looked to putforth recommendations for policy making to reduce marine pollution in SoutheastAsia.
Addressingthe regional forum, deputy head of the German Mission to ASEAN HendrikBarkeling said inland plastics dumped into the sea will increase if economiescontinue expansion without proper urban waste management.
Theamount of marine plastics was forecast to double in 2025.
ArifHavas Oegroseno, Indonesian Deputy Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairsand Resources, said the Indonesian Government is working to curb plasticpollution at sea, adding that tough measures might be employed to punishagencies and firms violating regulations on marine environment protection.
Inan interview with the Vietnam News Agency, deputy head of the Norwegian Missionto ASEAN Hilde Solbakken lauded the organisation of the event, as marinepollution is now a pressing issue in the world. She noted ocean plasticsthreaten the growth of the fishery sector. She said that the Norwegian Governmentis carrying out measures to limit the dumping of plastics into the sea and recoverthe marine environment, adding that 80 percent of the work was done.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has called for an urgent coordinated action to restore the health of the world’s oceans and secure the long-term well-being and food security of a growing global population.
ASEAN and China agreed on a 10-year plan through 2027 to protect the coasts and marine resources in the East Sea while trying to settle territorial disputes in the waters.
The 11th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM-11) opened in Pattaya city, Thailand, on November 19, themed “Protection and Preservation of the Marine Environment”, according to Quan doi Nhan dan (People’s Army) daily.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.
Illustrative photo (Source: pri.org) 
