Indonesia, at various levels of government, is working to realize the global commitment on tackling plastic pollution
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar has stressed that Indonesia is working hard to realize its global commitment on tackling plastic waste and has taken several steps in that direction.

"Indonesia, at various levels of government, is working to realize the global commitment on tackling plastic pollution," the minister said while attending a High-level Dialogue at the invitation of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), according to a statement released by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry here on Friday.

At the meeting, which was attended by 40 ministerial-level officials from the environmental sector from various countries, Bakar also spoke about the steps take by Indonesia for handling marine debris, the Center for Marine Hygiene Capacity Development in Bali, as well as the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility and the start of a circular economy approach.

Indonesia also supports the ongoing global framework discussions for dealing with marine debris and plastic pollution, she said.

Meanwhile, director general for waste management at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, who accompanied Bakar for the dialogue, explained several significant achievements made by Indonesia on handling plastic waste.

As an example, she cited the launch of the National Action Plan for Handling Marine Debris, which is regulated by Presidential Regulation No. 83/2018 concerning the Handling of Marine Debris, which is targeting to reduce marine debris by 70 percent by 2025.

The plan includes five strategies, 13 programs, and 60 activities, the implementation of which involves five working groups from 17 ministries and agencies, Ratnawati informed.

To limit the generation of plastic waste, 70 regional policies have been issued to limit the use of single-use plastic, she said adding, the policies comprise two provincial-level regulations and 68 district and city-level regulations.

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Translator: Prisca Triferna, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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