After more than two years since its inception, NOWPAP Marine Litter Activity (MALITA) is progressing to the end with success. At a meeting held on 20-21 November in Toyama, Japan, the NOWPAP Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) was finalized. The finalization of RAP MALI is one of the import outcomes of the NOWPAP MALITA. NOWPAP will continue to deal with marine litter issues once the member states approved the RAP MALI in the near future.
During the MALITA implementation, NOWPAP has convened several regional workshops and working meetings, set up a marine litter database, compiled regional overviews on marine litter situation and related legislation and policies, developed a number of guidelines and brochures and launched International Coastal Cleanup Campaigns in all the member countries. Those outcomes will be further reflected during the implementation of RAP MALI in the years to come.
Implementation of NOWPAP contributes to the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) in the Northwest Pacific region.