Marine Plastics ODA Project Advances with Key Milestones and 2025 Plans

 

The Marine Plastics ODA Project, funded by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) and implemented under PEMSEA, reports on its progress to reduce marine plastic pollution in the East Asian Seas region. 

The project, which focuses on enhancing local governance, demonstrating innovative solutions, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, has achieved key milestones in 2024 and outlined the work plan for 2025 during its 2nd Regional Steering Committee (RSC) last 17 December 2024 at Quezon City, Philippines.

A major highlight of 2024 was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Timor-Leste and PEMSEA during the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress in November 2024 in Xiamen, PR China. 

This agreement officially endorsed the ODA Project implementation in Timor-Leste, marking a significant step forward in regional collaboration. The event saw high-level participation from the three ODA project participating countries the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Timor-Leste, emphasizing the shared commitment to addressing marine plastic pollution.
 

^{PEMSEA Executive Director Aimee Gonzales and MALFF Secretary of Fisheries Domingos da C. dos Santos of Timor-Leste sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region ODA Project, witnessed by Dr. Won Tae Shin, Hon. Donalyn U. Minimo, and Hon. Yoon Hyunsoo. (PRF)}

 

In 2024, the project completed baseline assessments that provided critical data on marine plastic pollution in the Philippines and Timor-Leste. Beach monitoring programs, conducted in collaboration with nine local institutes across the two countries, generated valuable scientific data on plastic waste accumulation. Six innovative pilot project concepts were developed, setting the stage for detailed design and implementation in 2025.

The 2nd RSC also reviewed these achievements and endorsed the 2025 work plan and budget. The 2025 plan emphasizes several priority areas, including the development and implementation of pilot projects, expanded capacity-building initiatives, a small grant program to support recycling businesses, and the continuation of beach monitoring activities.

A key event to look out for in 2025 will be the Mayor’s Conference, scheduled for September in Puerto Princesa City, Philippines. The conference will bring together mayors from all project sites to renew their commitments to reducing marine plastics through the implementation of pilot projects. This will be formalized through a Mayor’s Compact, reinforcing local governance and stakeholder engagement.

Other milestones for 2025 include the finalization of baseline assessments for the Philippines and Timor-Leste by May, followed by a regional synthesis report in July. Capacity-building efforts will be further strengthened through the second Learning Exchange Program (LEP) in April, which coincides with the Our Ocean Conference 2025, organized by the Republic of Korea’s MOF. 

The Marine Environment Protector (MEP) Program, which is showing positive impacts in raising awareness and driving community action in the Philippines, will expand to new sites in both the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

PEMSEA Executive Director Aimee Gonzales emphasized the importance of collaboration, urging participants to take an “all hands on deck” approach. She called for active engagement to ensure that towns and cities across the region deliver on their shared commitment to combat plastic pollution and safeguard marine biodiversity to help deliver the National Plan of Action on Mariner Litter in the Philippines and Zero Plastic Timor-Leste and UNSDG 14.1 (by 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution).