Jakarta, 19 July 2022: The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the ASEAN Secretariat hosted the virtual Cross-Sectoral Dialogue for the Circular Economy Implementation Plan on 19 July 2022. The forum aimed to facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge, and best practices amongst ASEAN sectoral bodies; identify possible areas for synergy and collaboration across sectors; and recommend ways to advance the circular economy (CE) in the region. Insights from the dialogue will serve as inputs to the Implementation Plan for the Framework for Circular Economy for the ASEAN Economic Community and strengthen cross-sectoral work for a smooth transition to CE. The implementation plan is a follow-up to the Framework for Circular Economy for ASEAN Economic Community adopted in November 2021.

The dialogue focused on agriculture, energy, and transport. Each session discussed possible short-, medium-, and long-term initiatives, and identified the challenges and barriers for ASEAN in transitioning to CE. The outcomes of the sessions highlighted the three key common enablers for circularity in ASEAN: funding, institutional coordination, and regulations to support the transition to CE.

The revised draft of the implementation plan will be submitted to the Senior Economic Officials Meeting in August 2022, and the final version to the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting in September 2022.