Countries from East and Southeast Asia are recognized as the biggest contributors to marine plastic pollution due to rapid economic growth and lack of solid waste management infrastructure.

There are estimates that ASEAN+3 countries account for 62.6% of marine plastic wastes generated worldwide. Malaysia ranks third in the world among countries that contribute to plastic marine pollution, according to a study led by Dutch scientist Lourens Meijer (2021).

To support ASEAN's goals in curbing marine plastic pollution, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) established the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) in 2019.

During the forum, ERIA’s RKC-MPD will examine the role played by the private sector in Malaysia about fighting marine wastes. The forum will also feature innovative technologies and approaches to curb plastic marine pollution. It will also be a venue for the Ministry of Environment and Water of Malaysia to dialogue with the country's business groups and companies to discuss progress made and examine how else the private sector can contribute in reducing plastic waste and marine plastic debris.

Speakers

• Michikazu Kojima, Research Fellow, Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD), ERIA
• Dato' Jana Santhiran a/l Muniayan, Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Environment and Water, Malaysia
• Pauline Goh, General Manager, Malaysian Recycling Alliance Berhad (MAREA)
• Ayamany A/L P Sinakalai, CEO, FALLALEAF
• Wee Ching Yun, Chairman, Sustainability Sub-Committee, Malaysia Plastic Manufacturers Association (MPMA)
• Thomas Chhoa, Senior Advisor in the Office of the CEO, Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW)
• Ellen Putri Edita, Research Associate, the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD), ERIA
• Michikazu Kojima, Research Fellow, RKC-MPD, ERIA