Regional Policy Dialogue on Transformative Action to End Open Burning of Waste in ASEAN

This workshop aimed to convene policymakers and key stakeholders from ASEAN member countries where OWB is prevalent to discuss the current status of OWB and recommend actions to strengthen the institutional capacity. These recommended actions will be further incorporated into the development of a comprehensive roadmap to end OWB in the Asian region. Recognizing that the weak enforcement of policies and regulations is a common challenge in the region, the discussion of the workshop focused on the three key areas of institutional capacity development for effective policy formulation and implementation, including

• 1) Data Collection and Analysis: Establishing robust mechanisms for informed policy development.
• 2) Implementation of Action Plans: Aligning policies with actionable plans, emphasizing efficient resource management, including financial and human resources.
• 3) Monitoring and Evaluation: Ensuring accountability and tracking progress to measure the impact of interventions.

Additionally, the workshop emphasized the critical roles of gender, youth, and the informal sector in achieving sustainable solutions and transformative actions to stop OWB. These groups are integral to waste management and circular economy systems but are often underrepresented in formal policy discussions. Addressing their inclusion is essential for fostering equitable and effective solutions.

Day 01: Opening Session

Day 1 began with opening remarks by Mr. Lienxay Bounmanyvanh, Director General of the Natural Resources and Environment Research Institute (NRERI-MoNRE), who welcomed participants and emphasized the significance of the event. This was followed by a video message from Camille Tahon (CCAC-UNEP), which highlighted the critical need for regional collaboration to effectively address the issue of open waste burning (OWB). Ms. Miho Hayashi, Program Manager of CCET, introduced the project, outlining its objectives and the goals of the ASEAN regional dialogue.

Session 01: Current Status of Open Burning of Waste in Southeast Asia.

The session was moderated by Ms. Bounmany Soulideth (NRERI, MoNRE, Lao PDR), examined the state of open waste burning (OWB) in Southeast Asia, highlighting its environmental and health impacts, regional challenges, and potential solutions. Dr. Mushtaq Memon (UNEP) emphasized the need for regional collaboration, data harmonization, and evidence-based policymaking to tackle OWB and plastic pollution, advocating for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems and reuse models. Dr. Eric Zusman (IGES) discussed the cost-benefit dynamics of controlling OWB, stressing the importance of addressing institutional and social barriers to implement sustainable solutions. Dr. Bimastyaji Surya Ramadan (Universitas Diponegoro) provided insights on Asia’s significant contribution to global OWB emissions, driven by inadequate infrastructure in lower-middle-income countries. Ms. Thidalath Vongsayalath (GGGI) highlighted the success of decentralized waste collection systems in Vientiane, where measures such as source segregation and the use of E-trucks improved waste collection rates and resource recovery. The session concluded with a call for integrating social, institutional, and technological reforms to develop sustainable waste management solutions across the region.

Session 02: Gender, Youth, and Informal Sector Involvement in Stopping OWB Through Promoting Circular Economy.

This session, moderated by Dr. Premakumara Jagath Dickella Gamaralalage (Director, IGES – CCET), explored the critical roles of women, youth, and the informal sector in addressing open waste burning (OWB) through circular economy principles. Ms. Junko Fujioka (UNEP-IETC) emphasized the overlooked contributions of women and the informal sector in waste management, highlighting the need for inclusive policies to address gender disparities and improve working conditions. Dr. IDAA Warmadewanthi (ITS Surabaya) discussed the role of women and youth in Indonesia, focusing on waste banks and community programs, with youth serving as agents of change. Dr. Champathong Phochanthilath (National University of Laos) examined socio-economic drivers of OWB in Laos, emphasizing the need for gender-inclusive waste management solutions. Ms. Seruni Salsabila (AYCHW) highlighted youth-led initiatives in ASEAN countries, emphasizing regional collaboration and collective action. The session called for empowering these groups through inclusive policies, financial support, and collaboration to promote sustainable waste management and circular economy practices.

Day 02: Presentations and Group Discussions

The second day began with a reflection on Day 1, facilitated by Ms. Miho Hayashi (Program Manager, CCET), followed by a series of presentations and group discussions. Dr. Bimastyaji Surya Ramadan (Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia) presented on “Behavioral Analysis on Open Burning of Waste and Institutional Capacity”, sharing findings from the DPSIR analysis, common solutions, and challenges.

A plenary brainstorming session followed, led by Dr. Ramadan and Mr. Lakshitha Paranagamage, addressing the causes, consequences, and solutions for OWB. The country presentations showcased diverse strategies and experiences in addressing OWB across the ASEAN region. Furthermore, the presentations below underscored the importance of tailored approaches, robust data management, and collaborative frameworks to address OWB in the region.

• Indonesia: Mr. Ardyan Satya Indralaksmana (Ministry of Environment) highlighted the country’s regulatory framework, strategic action plans, and current conditions related to OWB.
• Cambodia: Mr. Yim Raksmey (Ministry of Environment) emphasized improved data management and regional collaboration as key to tackling waste management issues.
• Vietnam: Mr. Dao Thanh Duong (University of Science & Technology of Hanoi) shared insights on OWB mitigation through effective database management and highlighted the current status of OWB in Vietnam.
• Philippines: Dr. Marlon de Luna Era (De La Salle University) focused on air pollution monitoring, legal frameworks, and lessons learned in addressing OWB.
• Thailand: Dr. Vongvachira Ovararin (Deputy Mayor, Nakhon Si Thammarat City) presented the city’s inclusive waste management plan, which successfully achieved zero littering through collaborative action.
• Regional Policy Analysis: Mr. Lakshitha Paranagamage (CCET-IGES) identified policy gaps and emphasized the need for transformative actions to mitigate air pollution, climate change, and health risks associated with OWB.

Group Discussions and Workshop Outcomes

Participants were divided into thematic groups—Air, Waste, Gender, and Air + Waste—to address key challenges and solutions related to OWB. The outcomes of the group discussions are summarised below:

Group Discussion 1: Data Collection, Sharing, and Analysis on Air Quality and Waste Management. This group explored the importance of data collection, identifying the data needed and suggesting key actions. Key takeaways included:

• The purpose of Data Collection: Establish baselines, understand existing 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) efforts, plan future activities, and monitor progress.
• Data Needs: Comprehensive waste management data across the value chain, including waste composition, recycling capacity, export/import of materials, recovery factors, and air quality data. Other data identified included meteorology, hydrology, health impacts, GDP, and community-level effects.
• Key Actions: Bridging policy gaps, promoting data sharing, creating robust database management systems, developing capacity-building initiatives, launching public awareness programs, and formalising the informal sector.

Group Discussion 2: Formulation of Policies and Action Plans. This group identified barriers to effective policy formulation, focusing on:

• Challenges: Lack of operational understanding, poor coordination among agencies, inequitable budget distribution, dependency on international consultants, and insufficient skills to develop policies and action plans.
• Additional Factors: Neglect of gender and social issues, lack of attention to marginalised communities, underestimation of staff capacity, prioritisation of political agendas, absence of baseline data, and inadequate involvement of the private sector.

Group Discussion 3: Implementation of Policies and Action Plans. This group examined obstacles to implementing policies and action plans effectively. Key challenges included:

• Lack of equipment and staffing, insufficient investment and funding, limited capacity of people, low public awareness and education, absence of economic incentives, neglect of gender and social issues, and inadequate data availability.

Workshop Closing and Presentation of Findings

The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Lienxay Bounmanyvanh (Director General, NRERI-MoNRE) and Dr. Premakumara Jagath Dickella Gamaralalage (Director, CCET-IGES). The findings of the workshop were later presented at the Nineteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (COP-19) on 18 December 2024, highlighting the critical steps needed to address OWB across ASEAN countries.