Regional Research Initiative Launched to Tackle Microplastic Pollution in Southeast Asia

Jakarta, Indonesia – October 9, 2024

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), in collaboration with Universitas Pertamina (UP) and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), has launched an ambitious international research project titled “Enhancing the Science-Policy Interface to Manage Microplastic Influx from Major Cities into the Oceans in Southeast Asia.” Supported by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), this two-year project unites researchers and policymakers from Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia to confront the pressing issue of microplastic pollution across the region.

Project Overview and Objectives

Southeast Asia is recognized as a major contributor to ocean-bound microplastics, with rapidly growing urban centers like Bangkok, Jakarta, and Ho Chi Minh City significantly impacting plastic waste discharge. Despite increased awareness, critical knowledge gaps remain regarding how urban plastic waste flows into aquatic ecosystems. This project aims to bridge those gaps by developing a Source-Pathway-Receptor (SPR) framework, targeting the primary pathways and sources of microplastic pollution.

The SPR framework will support the identification of contamination sources, map pollution pathways through urban water systems, and engage local stakeholders to transform scientific insights into actionable policies. Through these efforts, the project seeks to empower cities with science-based strategies for sustainable plastic pollution management.

Opening Remarks and Launch Highlights

The initiative was formally launched with welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr. Wawan Gunawan A. Kadir, Rector of Universitas Pertamina, and Prof. Dr. Erna Sri Adiningsih, a member of APN’s Scientific Planning Group. Both leaders stressed the urgency of regional collaboration to address plastic pollution.

“We need innovative solutions and cross-sector cooperation to combat microplastic pollution at its root,” Prof. Gunawan highlighted. “This project provides a platform for all of us to align our efforts and make meaningful progress.”

Dr. Wenchao Xue, Associate Professor at AIT and the project’s principal investigator, provided an overview of the project’s approach and objectives. Emphasizing the critical need for a comprehensive understanding of microplastic pathways, Dr. Xue explained how the SPR framework will quantify microplastic influx across urban water systems in key Southeast Asian cities. The project’s findings aim to guide the development of science-informed, sustainable urban management policies.

Collaborative Knowledge Exchange

The event continued with a knowledge-sharing session, where researchers and experts from Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam presented current research and insights on microplastic pollution and management efforts in Southeast Asia. This session highlighted ongoing research and aimed to foster regional knowledge exchange.

Stakeholder Engagement

To facilitate direct engagement with key national and local stakeholders, the afternoon featured a roundtable discussion with representatives from the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing of Indonesia, as well as NGOs and the private sector. Participants discussed opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation and shared insights on enhancing microplastic management policies.

The collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in uniting Southeast Asia’s scientific, governmental, and private sectors to address the critical environmental threat of microplastic pollution.