BANGKOK, March 1 (TNA) – Thailand will host the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Marine Debris to discuss the protection of coastal and marine resources.
The meeting was set at The Sukhothai hotel in Bangkok on March 5. Relevant ASEAN ministers will discuss solutions to regional garbage to reduce impacts on the marine environment in a sustainable fashion.
Jatuporn Buruspat, director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, said Thailand was a country facing the impacts of marine debris, especially plastic waste which injured and killed endangered sea animals and damaged coral reefs, the sea, beaches and tourism.
He said that in the special meeting Thailand would present its garbage solutions including reduction in the use of cap seals and straws and a ban on single-use plastics. The measures successfully rehabilitated many beaches and sea animals returned to the places to live and lay eggs, Mr Jatuporn said.
He also mentioned Thailand’s measure to collect garbage in 10 large rivers to reduce the amounts of garbage being discharged into the sea.
In the meeting, Thailand will encourage other ASEAN states to have national action plans to cope with marine debris and regularly monitor implementation. (TNA)
