ASEAN, UNOPS cooperates in fighting marine plastic pollution
ASEAN and the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed an agreement to support ASEAN member states in combating marine plastic pollution through the joint implementation of the World Bank’s 20 million USD grant project: Southeast Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP).
Jakarta (VNA) – ASEAN and the UN Office forProject Services (UNOPS) have signed an agreement to support ASEAN member statesin combating marine plastic pollution through the joint implementation of theWorld Bank’s 20 million USD grant project: Southeast Asia Regional Program onCombating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP).
The five-year project aims to reduce plastic consumption,increase recycling, and minimise leakages to prevent land and sea-based marineplastic pollution. Working across Southeast Asia, the project will provideholistic support to develop and harmonise regional policies, as well as createregional platforms for innovation, investments, knowledge, and partnerships.
The project activities will contribute to the implementationof the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Combating Marine Debris and the ASEANLeaders’ Declaration on Blue Economy, to realise ASEAN’s commitment towardssustainable, resilient and inclusive use, management, conservation andgovernance of oceans, marine and coastal resources and ecosystems.
With support from the World Bank and UNOPS, ASEAN willadvance cooperation at both regional and country levels to strengthen policies andregulatory frameworks governing the production and use of plastics in SoutheastAsia.
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-CulturalCommunity (ASCC) Ekkaphab Phanthavong welcomed the timely initiative, saying that“the programme will add to ASEAN’s continuing efforts in addressing marineplastic debris and in promoting a transition to a circular economy.”
Samina Kadwani, UNOPS Director for Thailand, Indonesia andthe Pacific, said the partnership offers a path towards significant regionalsolutions, guided by mutual interests in promoting sustainable practices andprotecting marine and coastal ecosystems across Southeast Asia.”
SEA-MaP will be implemented by ASEAN Secretariat withsupport from UNOPS, in close collaboration with ASEAN member states andpartners, aligned with the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris inASEAN Region (2019) and the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating MarineDebris (2021)./.
To address plastic pollution, Vietnam needs a progressive phase-out, accompanied by the promotion of viable alternatives and an improved solid waste management system, Moderndiplomacy.eu has said, citing a newly-released study by World Bank (WB).
Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India on September 16 held the 19th consultation meeting on economic cooperation in Cambodia under the chair of Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak and India's Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
Illustration. (Photo: Reuters) 
