Vientiane, 22-24 August 2023: An Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) delegation led by Koji Hachiyama, Chief Operating Officer, took part in a number of salient activities during the ASEAN-Japan Environment Week on 22-24 August, and the Environment Ministerial Meetings on 24 August at the National Convention Centre of Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Summary

1. APT-EMM/AJMDEC

Koji Hachiyama, ERIA's Chief Operating Officer gave a progress report at the ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministers Meeting (APT EMM) and ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Dialogue on Environmental Cooperation (AJMDEC) on 24 August. He listed the many achievements ERIA and its Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris have made since the 17th APT EMM in 2021.

2. Thematic Seminar on MPD Regional Knowledge Sharing

As part of the ASEAN-Japan Environment Week, ERIA in partnership with the Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES), co-organized a thematic seminar on 23 August, sharing ASEAN’s experience and identifying opportumnities to further enhance efforts to reduce marine plastics debris, within the context of the forthcoming global plastics treaty.

3. Thematic Seminar on Private Sector and Plastic Waste Reduction

ERIA organized another seminar on 23 August, focusing on the private sector’s role in plastic waste reduction in Lao PDR. The seminar, showcasing efforts undertaken by private companies in Lao PDR, was organized in collaboration with the nation's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), which is preparing the National Plastics Action Plan for 2023-2030.

4. ASEAN-Japan Cooperation Symposium

On 24 August, the ASEAN-Japan Cooperation Symposium was held, laying out Japan’s support for different environmental fields, including climate change and biodiversity. Reo Kawamura, Director for Environmental Policy and Director for the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, introduced the new ASEAN-Japan Cooperation Action Agenda on Plastic Pollution, explaining the pivotal roles ERIA can continue to play in its implementation on the ground.

5. Business Expo Booth

Throughout ASEAN-Japan Environment Week, ERIA held a booth at the National Convention Centre alongside other organizations and businesses. ERIA’s booth attracted more than 75 visitors, who took a keen interest in ERIA’s marine plastic debris related activities. ERIA had the honour of welcoming to its booth Bounkham Vorachit, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Laos PDR; Akihiro Nishimura, Japan's Minister of the Environment; and Kenichi Kobayashi, Ambassador of Japan to Laos.

6. Business Pitch

On 23-24 August, ERIA took part in the ASEAN-Japan Environment Week Business Pitch sessions. ERIA outlined its continued efforts to promote the work carried out by the private sector to reduce plastic waste in the ASEAN+3 region, and invited visitors to take part in the growing Private Sector Platform of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris.