"We received directions to make Indonesia an ASEAN leader, and hopefully, the world leader to showcase our commitment to handling marine plastic debris," the ministry's Assistant Deputy for Garbage and Waste Management, Rofi Alhanif, noted in a media briefing ahead of the ASEAN Conference for Combatting Plastic Pollution (ACCPP) in Jakarta on Monday.
Hence, during Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan expressed his initiative to handle marine plastic debris.
"In various international meetings, Minister Pandjaitan is always considered as a leader in showing Indonesia's commitment to handle marine plastic debris," Alhanif stated.
From that direction, the government then agreed to organize ACCPP to accommodate ASEAN countries in preparing themselves for discussion regarding marine plastic debris issues at the global level.
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According to Pandjaitan, through this discussion, an international treaty or agreement regarding marine plastic debris would be issued.
"Hopefully, next year, we can issue the Plastic Treaty as a global agreement to end debris and waste at sea," Alhanif remarked.
He highlighted that the government is ensuring that this global agreement does not conflict with national interests for economic and environmental development. He believes that a meeting point between economic development and environmental sustainability can be realized.
"It is not easy to formulate it, but we will make it work," he noted.
ASEAN, which comprises majority of the developing countries and different economic conditions as compared to developed countries, must have a definite position regarding this issue and not simply imitate steps taken by developed countries, Alhanif emphasized.
"In this matter, we still use plastic in our economy in the development of our industry and other things," he stated.
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Translator: Putu Indah S, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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