Bali, Indonesia, 1–2 July 2026 – The Southeast Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP) convened the Regional Event: Introduction of the Regional Platform for Knowledge and Partnerships, and Second High Level Policy Dialogue and Workshop Series, bringing together representatives from ASEAN Member States (AMS), the ASEAN Secretariat, alongside regional knowledge partners and other stakeholders, in a hybrid format.

The event was held to (i) introduce the beta version of the Regional Platform for Knowledge and Partnerships (KPP) in contributing to ASEAN’s implementation of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan (RAP) for Combating Marine Debris, specifically Actions 8, 10 and 13, and (ii) conduct a high-level policy dialogue and workshop series focusing on the topic of phasing out single-use plastics (SUPs).

The KPP is envisaged to serve as a regional hub for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and partnerships by providing access to knowledge resources, training opportunities, partner networks, and other tools to support ASEAN and ASEAN Member States, and stakeholders in addressing marine plastic pollution.

Participants were introduced to the beta-version of the Platform through live demonstrations of its key features (Knowledge Hub, Partnerships and Training) and user journeys.

This was followed by a High-Level Policy Dialogue which examined policy approaches, implementation experiences, and regional cooperation opportunities to support upstream measures that reduce plastic pollution and advance the transition towards a circular economy. The dialogue also provided an opportunity for ASEAN Member States to exchange experiences and identify practical approaches that reflect diverse national contexts.

The event also included interactive workshops that is referenced based on the Regional Guidebook on Phasing Out Single-Use Plastics developed under SEA-MaP, enabling participants to explore policy options, assess implementation readiness, and identify opportunities for peer learning and regional collaboration. Discussions covered policy instruments, stakeholder engagement, institutional readiness, financing considerations, monitoring approaches, and capacity-building needs to support effective implementation across ASEAN.

The Regional Event forms part of SEA-MaP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and support the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Combating Marine Debris. Feedback and recommendations generated during the event will contribute to the continued enhancement of the KPP and support ASEAN in their efforts to tackling plastic pollution in the marine environment.

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