United Nations Environment Programme
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- Overview
- Schedule
- About the Event
Purpose and objectives of the consultation
The project Reducing marine litter by addressing the management of the plastic value chain in South East Asia aims to reduce the adverse impact of marine litter from plastic leakage by ensuring that less plastic is entering general solid waste streams where the coverage and effectiveness of the management systems is weak. This project, funded by the Sweden International Development Agency (Sida) and implemented by UN Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), will involve stakeholders throughout the plastic value chain, from governments, to plastic producers and retailers, to waste managers and consumers, to disadvantaged groups such as coastal communities and informal waste pickers most impacted by plastic pollution. The UN Environment Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the COBSEA Secretariat each lead activities related to the following four Outputs:
Output 1
Market-based solutions towards “less plastic wasted” - Target countries: Malaysia and Thailand.
Output 2
Strengthening the scientific basis for decision-making - Target countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, leveraging participation and input from other COBSEA countries. Singapore, China, Japan, ROK, Australia.
Output 3
Outreach on marine litter and plastic pollution - Target countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, leveraging participation and input from other COBSEA countries.
Output 4
Regional networking - Target countries: All nine COBSEA countries, i.e. Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
The inception phase of the project has concluded on 31 January 2019, generating a revised Results Framework for the implementation to 2023. The objectives of the consultation with stakeholders in Thailand are:
- To receive feedback on the project’s objective and expected impact, strategies and approaches, and plans in Thailand;
- To introduce the project’s Implementation Partners and stakeholders in Thailand, and
- To explore opportunities for collaboration among other initiatives and partners.
PARTICIPANTS
Participants will include national and local governmental representatives, private sector representatives, members of the academia, and civil society organizations in Thailand, UN agencies and other inter-governmental agencies based in Thailand, as well as implementation partners of the project Reducing marine litter by addressing the management of plastic value chain in Southeast Asia.
07 Jun 2019
Time & Place
Event Details
08:30
Registration
Registration and Coffee
09:00
Welcome Remarks
Government of Thailand, the Embassy of Sweden, and UN Environment
09:10
Setting the scene
Overview of the project and the consultation by Mr. Jerker Tamelander, COBSEA Secretariat
Overview of the value chain approach and the role of partners, Ms.Kakuko Yoshida, UN Environment
Introductions
Overview of the value chain approach and the role of partners, Ms.Kakuko Yoshida, UN Environment
Introductions
09:40
Current status and policy landscape on combating plastic pollution in Thailand
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE)
10:00
Break
Group Photo & Networking Break
10:30
Actions to reduce plastic leakage
Facilitated by: Ms. Kakuko Yoshida, UN Environment
Local implementation of The Plastic Waste Management Road Map 2018-2030:
• Mr. Prayoon Pongpan, Superintendent, Ko Samet National Park, Rayong Province
• Ms. Jiraratana Thesasilpa, Food and Drug Technical Officer, Food and Drug Administration of Thailand
Market-based solutions towards "less plastic wasted":
• Mr. Numpol Limprasert, Sustainable Development Director, The Siam Cement PLC / SCG
• Mr. Nuntivat Thamhatai, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca-Cola Thailand Ltd.
• Mr. Lars Svensson, Sustainability and Communication Director, IKEA Southeast Asia
• Dr. Panate Manomaivibool, Mae Fah Luang University, on behalf of Solid Waste Association of Thailand
•Mr. Paradorn Chulajata, Chariman of Plastic Industry Club, Federation of Thai Industries
Local implementation of The Plastic Waste Management Road Map 2018-2030:
• Mr. Prayoon Pongpan, Superintendent, Ko Samet National Park, Rayong Province
• Ms. Jiraratana Thesasilpa, Food and Drug Technical Officer, Food and Drug Administration of Thailand
Market-based solutions towards "less plastic wasted":
• Mr. Numpol Limprasert, Sustainable Development Director, The Siam Cement PLC / SCG
• Mr. Nuntivat Thamhatai, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca-Cola Thailand Ltd.
• Mr. Lars Svensson, Sustainability and Communication Director, IKEA Southeast Asia
• Dr. Panate Manomaivibool, Mae Fah Luang University, on behalf of Solid Waste Association of Thailand
•Mr. Paradorn Chulajata, Chariman of Plastic Industry Club, Federation of Thai Industries
11:45
Measuring impact and sharing solutions
Facilitated by: Ms. Kakuko Yoshida, UN Environment
A closer look at indicators for success – Mr. Amit Jain, Managing Director, IRG Systems South Asia Pvt. Ltd.
Outreach and visibility – Ms. Esther Lake, UN Environment
A closer look at indicators for success – Mr. Amit Jain, Managing Director, IRG Systems South Asia Pvt. Ltd.
Outreach and visibility – Ms. Esther Lake, UN Environment
12:15
Lunch
Break
13:15
Promoting inclusive solutions and sustainable business models
Facilitated by: Ms. Natalie Harms, UN Environment COBSEA Secretariat
• Human rights and business – Ms. Harpreet Kaur, UN Development Programme
• Fulfilling rights and upholding duties – Ms. Thérèse Björk, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
• The right to a clean and healthy environment – Ms. Natalie Harms
• Group Discussion: Existing initiatives, gaps and needs for equitable action along the plastic value chain
• Human rights and business – Ms. Harpreet Kaur, UN Development Programme
• Fulfilling rights and upholding duties – Ms. Thérèse Björk, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
• The right to a clean and healthy environment – Ms. Natalie Harms
• Group Discussion: Existing initiatives, gaps and needs for equitable action along the plastic value chain
14:15
Accelerating and coordinating action in Thailand
Group A: Market-based solutions and business incentives
Group B: Scientific evidence and data needs
Group C: Outreach and engagement
Group D: SEA of Solutions partnership week
Crosscutting issues: enabling policy frameworks and inclusive approaches
Group B: Scientific evidence and data needs
Group C: Outreach and engagement
Group D: SEA of Solutions partnership week
Crosscutting issues: enabling policy frameworks and inclusive approaches
15:30
Wrap-up and Closing
Closing remarks by Mr. Staffan Herrström, Swedish Ambassador to Thailand
Collaboration to combat marine litter in Thailand
Bangkok,7 June 2019 – UN Environment, supported by the Government of Sweden, is forging partnerships between Government agencies, the private sector, civil society and academia in Thailand, to tackle the transboundary challenge of marine litter.
A new initiative ‘SEA circular – solving plastic pollution at source’ is focussing on identifying market-based solutions and enabling policies to prevent marine plastic pollution. Striving for less plastic wasted and a more circular economy requires commitment from stakeholders throughout the plastic value chain.
Plastic debris is a major threat to marine ecosystems. Globally, more than 80 per cent of marine plastic litter comes from land-based sources. Rapid growth, combined with inadequate waste management capacity, means that five Asian countries alone – Thailand is one of them - may be responsible for as much as 60 per cent of plastic waste leakage into the oceans.
SEA circular held a Thailand Stakeholder Consultation on Reducing marine litter by addressing the management of the plastic value chain in South East Asia on 7 June 2019. The event was convened by UN Environment, the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East of Asia (COBSEA), and the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), supported by the Government of Sweden. A wide range of delegates attended, from local government, private sector, academia, civil society organizations, UN agencies and other inter-governmental agencies.
“A healthy environment relies on us seeking solutions to marine plastic pollution by working in partnership with regulators, investors and policymakers, throughout the plastic value chain,” said Isabelle Louis, Deputy Regional Director, UN Environment.
UN Environment encourages a ‘people-centred approach’ to marine waste management, to support the most vulnerable groups impacted by marine litter and to improve the living standards of the informal waste management sector.
The Government of Thailand affirmed their commitment to strengthening partnerships to tackle marine plastic pollution – to meet their objectives in the Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018-2030, and under the ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris. The Government recently announced that they will phase out seven types of plastic items starting in 2019 and completing in 2022 – including plastic bottle cap seals, oxo-type plastics, microbeads, plastic bags of less than 36 microns, foam food containers, single-use plastic cups, and plastic straws. The country also aims to recycle 100% of plastic waste by 2027.
The Food and Drug Administration of Thailand (FDA) outlined plans to revise restrictions on the use of recycled plastic for food packaging, through collaboration between government agencies and the private sector.
Innovative solutions to plastic pollution were presented by influential corporations, including the Siam Cement PLC / SCG, Coca-Cola Thailand Ltd. and IKEA Southeast Asia – who are spearheading new ways to do business, whilst reducing their plastic footprint and minimizing waste to landfill. Local government officials from Rayong and Chiang Mai presented their actions to promote circular economy principles. Grassroots movements such as Trash Hero showcased how they are galvanizing action and raising awareness. Also in attendance were biodegradable packaging company Gracz, Food Industry Association (FIA), Phuket Hotel Association, Swedish Thai Chamber of Commerce and a range of corporations and private sector organisations.
“It is inspiring to hear about the ambitious commitments against plastic pollution here in Thailand. Together, we can work for a more circular economy and cleaner seas,” said Staffan Herrström, Swedish Ambassador to Thailand.
A new logo and branding for SEA circular were launched during the Thailand Stakeholder Consultation.
Next steps for SEA circular include the first annual ‘SEA of Solutions’ partnership week, at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, 11-15 November 2019. ‘SEA of Solutions’ will build multi-stakeholder partnerships between governments, the private sector, international investors and innovators, local communities and grassroots organisations, to solve plastic pollution at source.
About SEA circular
‘SEA circular– solving plastic pollution at source’ aims to reduce the adverse impact of marine plastic litter by ensuring that less plastic enters waste streams and is leaked into the marine environment. The project is funded by the Swedish Government and implemented by UN Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA). The project works in partnership to involve stakeholders throughout the plastic value chain, from governments, to plastic producers and retailers, to waste managers and consumers, to disadvantaged groups such as coastal communities and informal waste pickers who are most impacted by plastic pollution. SEA circular is operational from 2018 to 2022.
About UN Environment Programme
UN Environment Programme is the leading global voice on the global environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UN Environment Programme works with governments, the private sector, the civil society and with other UN entities and international organizations across the world.
About COBSEA
The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) oversees the implementation of the East Asian Seas Action Plan to protect the marine and coastal environment for the health and wellbeing of present and future generations in the East Asian Seas region. Efforts are focused on addressing land-based marine pollution; strengthening marine and coastal planning and management; and sharing marine environmental management experiences and policies towards strengthened regional governance. The Secretariat for COBSEA is hosted by Thailand and administered by UN Environment. COBSEA is one of 18 Regional Seas programmes for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment.
Contact:
SEA circular
+66 2288 2025
