Indonesia advocates for enhanced commitments among Southeast Asian nations to tackle the issues of chemical and waste management, including the hazards of transboundary movement, during the 11th ASEAN Working Group on Chemicals and Waste (AWGCW).
Laksmi Widyajayanti, the Acting Deputy for Waste, Hazardous Waste, and Toxic Substances Management at the Ministry of Environment, stated that the management of chemicals and waste is a collective obligation among nations in the region.
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“Without joint efforts at the international level, it is impossible to combat illegal cross-border waste trafficking and realize a circular economy in this region,” Widyajayanti says.
During the meeting on May 12-13 in Tangerang, the Indonesian representatives, as hosts, emphasized that Southeast Asian nations must enhance regional collaboration to address the challenge of aligning economic growth with environmental conservation.
Mahadi Bin Sukarno, chairman of AWGCW in Malaysia, stated that ASEAN must not transform into a dumping site for worldwide waste.
“As a rapidly developing region, ASEAN must not become a global waste dumping ground. This meeting is important to align policy directions so that we can balance economic progress with environmental and public health protection,” he explains.
He encouraged ASEAN member countries to stay clear of chemical and waste pollution by taking tangible actions, rather than just holding annual meetings.
Delegates also talked about seven key programs within the AWGCW Action Plan, such as the implementation of eco-friendly technologies to aid the green industry, emergency measures for chemical incidents, and the cleanup of polluted land.
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Indonesia’s Environment Ministry advocated for streamlined operational standards among ASEAN nations to assist countries in adhering to international agreements like the Basel Convention, the Minamata Convention, and the Montreal Protocol.
The meeting also acted as a venue for exchanging innovations tied to the circular economy, concentrating on waste management systems designed to minimize environmental effects while creating sustainable economic value.
Previously, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia suggested that Indonesia should serve as the location for an oil reserve storage hub for ASEAN nations. In line with this agenda, Bahlil joined the President in every meeting addressing strategic energy sector matters of shared interest among ASEAN nations.
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Alongside the creation of storage hubs, the conversation also included cross-border electricity interconnection in the area and energy diversification. The meeting sought to guarantee energy security and resilience in the ASEAN area by promoting energy diversification initiatives, crucial for tackling the current global energy crisis.