ASEAN Declaration on Plastic Circularity – Summary
The ASEAN Member States convened at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane on 9 October 2024 to affirm their commitment to tackling plastic pollution through a full-life-cycle approach, recognizing the urgent need to address its adverse environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Key Highlights:
- Commitment to Circularity: ASEAN Member States committed to advancing plastic circularity through enhanced product design, extending product life via reuse and refill strategies, and fostering the development of eco-friendly substitutes.
- Sustainable Consumption: Emphasis was placed on sustainable consumption by reducing single-use and problematic plastics, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12 & 14) and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Plastic Waste Management: Improved waste management systems are prioritized, encompassing waste collection, recycling, and safe disposal to prevent plastic leakage from both land and sea sources.
- Collaborative Efforts: ASEAN will foster collaborations with public and private sectors, including national awareness and clean-up initiatives, and support stakeholder partnerships to facilitate knowledge exchange, financial aid, and technical assistance.
- Support for Global Initiatives: The declaration reaffirms ASEAN’s support for a new international legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, emphasizing principles of shared responsibility and respect for national capacities.
Declaration Goals:
ASEAN Member States aim to:
- Implement existing regional frameworks like the Bangkok Declaration on Marine Debris and the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris.
- Enhance circular economy practices for plastics, align national efforts with international agreements, and achieve sustainable development in partnership with global and regional stakeholders.