Plastic waste along a coastline (Photo: Reuters)

The five-year project will span across Southeast Asia to reduce plastic consumption, increase recycling, and minimize leakages to prevent land and sea-based marine plastic pollution.

It will provide holistic support to develop and harmonize regional policies, and create regional platforms for innovation, investments, knowledge, and partnerships.

The project activities will contribute to the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Combating Marine Debris and the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Blue Economy, to realise ASEAN’s commitment towards sustainable, resilient and inclusive use, management, conservation and governance of oceans, marine and coastal resources and ecosystems.