Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1-2 July 2025: The SEA-MaP Regional Project convened the 2nd SEA-MaP Project Steering Committee (PSC) Engagement Workshop: Consultation on the Design and Development of the Regional Platform for Innovation and Investments and Stakeholder Dialogue via hybrid mode. The Regional Platform aims to support innovation and investments in plastics and plastic waste management in the ASEAN region. 

Mr. Ukkrit Satapoomin, Deputy Director-General at the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Kingdom of Thailand; in his capacity as representative of Chair of the ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME) and Co-Chair of the SEA-MaP Project Steering Committee (PSC); as well as by Mr. Ahmad Rizal bin Khalit, Deputy Undersecretary of the Environmental Management Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) of Malaysia, as a representative of the host country, opened and welcomed participants to the Workshop. 

The remarks highlighted that the Platform initiative demonstrates ASEAN’s commitment to promoting innovative circular solutions, collaboration, and inclusive investment, which is envisaged to serve as a dynamic and interactive ecosystem that reflects the diversity and strength of the region. In this connection, the two-day Workshop was a timely opportunity for the ASEAN Member States (AMS) to  hear about the Platform, and provide inputs/guidance on the proposed design of the Platform and its way forward, particularly to ensure that its features and activities remain anchored in national and regional priorities.

The sessions presented and gathered feedback from the AMS on the proposed design of the Platform and its key features, namely the (i) Financing Marketplace, (ii) Technical Assistance (“Accelerator”) Program, and (iii) Communications and Events, as well as on Platform sustainability. The Workshop also featured panel discussions to gain insights from potential user groups, which included speakers from start-up, investor, corporate, and development partners representing similar regional initiatives in the region, and shared lessons learned regarding the development of a similar platform/initiative. The Workshop saw interactive discussions and exchange of views amongst participants.

The Workshop was organized by the SEA-MaP Regional project, facilitated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) consortium, in close coordination with the Regional Implementation Support Unit (RISU) and the Project Management Unit (PMU) of SEA-MaP. The event was participated by representatives of the ASEAN Member States (AMS), the ASEAN Secretariat, the PMU and RISU, and the World Bank. Meanwhile, speakers from start-up, incubators and the private sector groups participated in the Stakeholder Dialogue session which was organized on the second day. 

The Workshop was held as a follow-up to the 1st PSC Engagement Workshop that was held on 13-14 March 2025 in Pattaya, Thailand.