Southeast Asia commits to ocean cleanup

ASEAN's Bangkok Declaration is a first step, but much more needs to be done

An action plan by Southeast Asian countries showcases their commitment to reducing marine pollution, stressing the need for collaboration to tackle a worsening problem.

In a joint statement issued after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Special Ministerial Meeting on Marine Debris held on Tuesday in Bangkok, ASEAN's environment ministers approved in principle the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN Region and the ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris. Both documents are expected to be officially endorsed at the 34th ASEAN Summit to be held in June in the Thai capital.