國際海洋資訊

On November 13, 2024, the coastal city of Hualien, Taiwan, hosted an international forum on marine plastic waste management in the Indo-Pacific. Leaders and experts from the Maldives, Thailand, Indonesia, and Palau gathered, driven by a shared commitment to ocean conservation, to explore more effective and inclusive solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis.

▲ From left to right: Professor Chavanich from Chulalongkorn University, Deputy Minister Nizam from the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy of the Maldives, Deputy Chairman Huang HsiangWen from the Ocean Affairs Council, Deputy Director-General Lee Hsiao-Hsia from the Ocean Conservation Administration, and Director Prasojo from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia.

Resilience and Hope: A Conversation Begins

That urgency, she noted, is precisely why stakeholders have gathered—to assess whether stronger action can be taken. Since 2018, Taiwan has taken measures to coordinate nine government agencies in conducting scientific research and cleanup operations on marine debris. The government has also implemented policies such as banning plastic straws to reduce plastic waste at its source.

Throughout this process, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have played an equally critical role, translating rigorous scientific data into information that the public can understand—and act upon.

But Huang insists that domestic action alone is not enough. Since 2024, Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council has expanded its international collaboration, hosting nearly 10 workshops and conferences, engaging around 1,000 participants from over 20 countries.

"In November 2024, South Korea will host the fifth session of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations (INC5)1, a pivotal moment in the fight against plastic pollution," Huang said. "While the treaty draft remains highly complex and consensus has yet to be reached, we hope this forum will help us chart a path forward—examining future actions through the perspectives of policy, technology, and public-private partnerships, with a particular focus on advancing ESG-driven initiatives."

Huang Xiang-wen also brought the audience's attention to Taiwan's proactive approach to marine debris management since 20182, with a firm commitment to phasing out all single-use plastic products by 2030.

"Our efforts are not just about Taiwan's oceans," she said. "We seek to play a key role in regional cooperation, working together to build a cleaner, healthier future for our seas."

Lessons from Four Nations: Tackling Plastic Pollution Through Action

Stephen Victor, Palau's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment, outlined the goals of the Blue Pacific Prosperity Initiative—aiming to protect 30% of the Pacific Ocean.

"The world is confronting a triple crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution. In response, the international community is ramping up efforts through initiatives like the carbon reduction commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or the "30×30" strategy under the Convention on Biological Diversity, in order to protect 30% of the world's oceans and land.

In the Pacific, the Blue Pacific Prosperity Initiative has set an ambitious target: managing 100% of the Pacific Ocean within the next decade and safeguarding at least 30% of it, while mobilizing funding to support these conservation efforts."

Pacific Island nations face major challenges in tackling plastic pollution, with particular difficulties due each nation's lack of infrastructure, remote geography, and small population sizes. Poorly managed landfills worsen marine pollution and pose growing health risks. While some countries have introduced policy reforms—such as Palau's container deposit law and plastic bag bans—regional coordination is essential to improving waste sorting and recycling systems. At the same time, the rising threat of microplastics demands more comprehensive action, including end-to-end solutions that address the entire plastic lifecycle, from production to disposal.

Stephen stressed, "Taiwan has shown global leadership in tackling plastic pollution, pledging to phase out single-use plastics by 2030 while providing technical support and sharing its expertise. Palau looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Taiwan to advance alternative materials and innovative technologies in the fight against the global plastic crisis. Sustainable solutions require more than just policy changes—we need to acquire shifts in consumer demand, stronger corporate accountability, and enhanced international collaboration. Only through these collective efforts can we build a truly sustainable model that safeguards our planet, for now and for our future generations."

"Ninety-nine percent of our territory is ocean, which means our waste management system relies almost entirely on maritime transport," said Ahmed Nizam, Deputy Minister of Climate Change, Energy, and Economy of the Maldives.

He highlighted how this small Indian Ocean nation is grappling with the dual challenge of managing plastic pollution while sustaining economic growth. The Maldives is currently rolling out a nationwide initiative, "Magesa Puraja" (My Clean Maldives), with the ambitious goal of implementing comprehensive waste management systems across every island by 2028.

As an island nation heavily dependent on tourism and fishing, the Maldives faces severe challenges in plastic waste management. Ahmed noted that the country produces over 1,000 tons of waste daily, with plastic making up approximately 12% of the amount. However, geographic dispersion and inadequate infrastructure mean that 66% of the plastic waste is mismanaged.

Despite logistical hurdles and recycling limitations, the Maldives continues to work closely with international organizations to establish regional waste management facilities and enhance its waste processing capabilities. 

"Since 2000, the Maldives has enacted a series of regulations to combat plastic pollution, including imposing steep taxes on plastic bags and banning the import of various single-use plastics such as straws and disposable tableware," Ahmed explained.

He further noted that between 2020 and 2023, the country's "Single-Use Plastic Phase-Out Plan" significantly reduced the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags after introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model, which mandates plastic manufacturers to take greater responsibility for waste management. 

Additionally, he highlighted that resorts across the country have largely replaced PET bottles with glass alternatives and implemented in-house water resource management systems to further reduce plastic waste. The Maldives has set an ambitious goal of cutting 85% of the plastic pollution by 2030, leveraging waste-to-energy technology to address its waste management challenges.

While policy measures have made progress, the country continues to struggle with adopting biodegradable single-use alternatives, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive approach to tackling plastic pollution. The Maldives' experience serves as a crucial case study for other island nations, particularly in developing innovative solutions amid constraints of limited space and resources. 

In 2018, the Thai government launched a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing single-use plastics by 2030 and achieving 100% plastic waste recycling. The country has already implemented a ban on polystyrene food containers, microbeads, and plastic bags thinner than 36 microns, and is moving towards phasing out single-use plastic cups and straws in the near future.

"Thailand has adopted the 'BCG Economy' model, integrating bio-economy, circular economy, and green economy to drive comprehensive plastic waste management while introducing innovative approaches and behavior change," said Suchana.

She highlighted several initiatives, including closed-loop plastic management programs at universities that aimed at achieving zero waste, and a pilot project in Rayong Province that has successfully achieved 100% plastic waste recycling.

Thailand's current plastic recycling rate stands at 18%—an improvement, but further efforts are needed, particularly in standardizing data collection and enhancing data sharing to strengthen waste management strategies. 

Thailand is committed to sharing knowledge and technology with other nations, particularly in strengthening capacity across Asia as part of its international collaboration efforts. 

"Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries are often referred to as the 'Plastic Club.' Unfortunately, we rank among the top ten nations globally for mismanaged plastic waste, much of which ultimately ends up in the ocean," Suchana noted.

She pointed out that 27% of plastic waste in Southeast Asia is imported, meaning that the crisis is driven not only by domestic production but also by external sources. To address these challenges, top-down policymaking must be coupled with bottom-up participation, with an emphasis on scientific communication. Currently, scientists and citizen science initiatives account for less than 10% of involvement in plastic waste management, highlighting the need for greater education and story-driven scientific communication to engage a wider audience and build public support for environmental action.

Plastic pollution not only threatens the environment but also poses significant risks to public health. In Thailand, the average person ingests the equivalent of 1.7 credit cards worth of microplastics every week.

Confronted with this alarming reality, Suchana called for immediate action and behavioral change, stressing the need to integrate waste management and environmental initiatives at the community level. She emphasized that only through these efforts can we build a healthier and more sustainable future for the next generation. Suryo Prasojo, head of Coastal Affairs and the Small Islands Alliance at Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, further shared Indonesia's approach to tackling marine pollution. He highlighted initiatives such as integrating fishermen into ocean cleanup efforts, showcasing the strength of community collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.

As an archipelagic nation, Indonesia faces significant threats from marine pollution and plastic waste, which severely affect both its fisheries and the broader environment. In response, the government has introduced key regulations, including Fisheries Regulation No. 26 of 2021 and ministerial decrees from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, with the ambitious goal of reducing marine plastic waste by 70% by 2025. These policies emphasize multi-agency collaboration, integrating pollution prevention, marine restoration, and cross-departmental action plans to address the crisis comprehensively.

"Indonesia's National Action Plan focuses on four key areas: raising environmental awareness, improving waste management, strengthening law enforcement, and enhancing financial support," Suryo explained.

At the same time, the government is advancing its "Blue Economy Strategy," encouraging fishermen to collect plastic waste while fishing, offering economic incentives to transform waste into a valuable resource. One of the successful initiatives, "Love the Ocean," has actively engaged fishermen in plastic waste collection while equipping them with essential skills in waste management and recycling.

"Our fishermen are protecting the ocean in their own way. They not only collect plastic waste while fishing, but also bring it back to shore for recycling," Suryo said.

Through education, capacity building, and collaboration with the private sector and local communities, Indonesia has successfully mobilized social participation in efforts to reduce marine pollution and carbon emissions. These initiatives showcase how environmental protection can be integrated with economic development, offering valuable insights and lessons for other nations.

Cross-Border Dialogue: Shared Concern and Action

The forum's Q&A and discussion sessions generated lively exchanges among participants. A question from Taiwan addressed the upcoming fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan, inquiring about the positions of different countries. A representative from the Maldives responded, "We will work alongside our international partners to drive solutions. We hope the Busan conference will mark a turning point in global cooperation."

When a scholar from a Thai national university raised the issue of specific strategies to tackle microplastic pollution, Dr. Suchana responded with a bit of humor:

"We may be consuming the equivalent of 1.7 credit cards worth of plastic every week, but that's not a reason to stop enjoying Thai food!"

Her remark elicited laughter, but it also highlighted the seriousness of the microplastic crisis, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Act Now, Shape the Future

"Technology and policy are essential, but in the end, behavioral change is the key to solving this crisis. Each one of us can be the catalyst for change, leaving a better planet for future generations," said Huang Xiang-wen.

She stressed that the ocean is intimately connected to everyone's life, and its future hinges on the actions we take today. Protecting marine ecosystems requires a collective effort, and Huang called on more nations to join the global push for ocean governance.

▲ Group photo of distinguished guests at the Indo-Pacific Forum on Marine Plastic Debris Governance.  Photo Credit: Xin-En Wu

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