We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The Establishment of ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris: The Role of Shared Knowledge
Summary
This paper reviews the development of the ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris and argues that shared scientific knowledge among member states was crucial for reaching regional agreement. Countries including Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand are among the world's top contributors to ocean plastic pollution. The framework represents a step toward coordinated regional action on a problem that requires collective solutions.
Since the 1970s, marine debris pollution has been considered a global environmental problem because of the serious threat it poses. Based on 2010 data, the amount of marine debris pollution from the four ASEAN countries plus China has exceeded a quarter of the total global pollution. In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular the 14th goal regarding life under water, were implemented to address this issue in the global realm. But regionally, ASEAN as the biggest pollutant has just formed the ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris in 2019. The time lag is large considering the urgency to respond has emerged since 2010. Even since 2011, ASEAN countries have started research and individual handling efforts. Therefore, knowledge about this issue has emerged since the early 2010s. However, this knowledge does not necessarily get the attention of ASEAN to deal with it collectively. We see that there is an unexplained link between the emergence of urgency and knowledge regarding marine debris pollution in the early 2010s and the formation of the regime in 2019. In this paper, we attempt to analyze how this urgency and knowledge ultimately gained the attention of ASEAN and ultimately formed the regime. The analysis will be carried out using the Weak Cognitivism approach in Knowledge-based theory, focusing on the role of the epistemic community in creating shared knowledge as the key to the formation of an international regime.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
The Need for Asian Regional Cooperation in Establishing International Agreements on Marine Plastic Debris
This paper argues for greater Asian regional cooperation in developing international agreements on marine plastic debris, noting that insufficient national and multilateral policies have allowed plastic waste in Asian seas to grow. Asia is the largest regional contributor to ocean plastic pollution, making coordinated action essential for any effective global solution.
Marine microplastics in the ASEAN region: A review of the current state of knowledge
This review synthesized available data on marine microplastic pollution across the ten ASEAN member nations, finding widespread contamination in coastal and open-water environments with significant knowledge gaps in several countries due to limited monitoring capacity.
Microplastics in ASEAN region countries: A review on current status and perspectives
This review assessed microplastic research across ASEAN countries, finding that despite contributing heavily to ocean plastic waste, the region accounts for only about 5% of global microplastic studies, with major gaps in human health research.
Development of Microplastic Research in ASEAN
This systematic review summarizes the development of microplastic research across Southeast Asian countries, mapping where studies have been conducted and what types of environments have been examined. The findings reveal significant gaps in our understanding of microplastic pollution in the region, which is home to several of the world's largest plastic-polluting countries and major seafood-exporting nations.
The Impact of Weak Marine Debris Governance on the Increased Environmental Insecurity in Southeast Asia
An analysis of weak marine debris governance in Southeast Asia found that lack of policy harmonization among regional countries leads to environmental insecurity through marine resource depletion, fisheries conflicts, and health hazards for coastal communities dependent on marine ecosystems.