Singapore, 3-4 December 2025: The Southeast Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP) held its First Technical Consultation on Financing Mechanisms for Investments in Plastic Waste Management on 3–4 December 2025 in Singapore, in a hybrid format. The consultation marked an important step in developing the Regional Guidebook on Financing Mechanisms for Investments in Plastic Waste Management under the SEA-MaP Regional Project.

The consultation was organised to support the implementation of Action 1 of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris, with the aim of strengthening financial approaches for sustainable plastic waste management across ASEAN Member States. The Regional Guidebook is expected to serve as a practical reference for policymakers and relevant stakeholders in identifying and applying financial mechanisms suited to national contexts while advancing regional coherence.

The event was facilitated by KPMG Singapore, in coordination with the SEA-MaP Regional Implementation Support Unit (RISU) under UNOPS and Project Management Unit (PMU), brought together representatives from nine ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat including an observer from the World Bank.

Discussions focused on the draft Landscape Analysis, which mapped existing financing mechanisms across the region and highlighted common challenges such as limited collection infrastructure, low recycling capacity, and ongoing environmental leakage. Participants shared national experiences and emphasised that sustainable financing will require a combination of public funding, policy-based instruments, and emerging market-driven approaches, supported by strong regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity.

The consultation also examined guiding principles to support the selection and design of financial mechanisms, with particular emphasis on contextual relevance, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability. Participants highlighted the importance of tailoring financing approaches to national conditions, including the integration of informal waste workers and micro, small, and medium enterprises.

The outcomes of the consultation will inform the development of the Regional Guidebook, with further inputs from ASEAN Member States and continued discussion through subsequent technical consultations planned in 2026.

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