Resources

Debris in the environment is a transboundary problem that impacts people and ecosystems.

COBSEA is guided by 5-year Strategic Directions to protect and sustainably develop the marine and coastal environment of the East Asian Seas region. New COBSEA Strategic Directions for 2023-2027 were developed in consultation with participating countries and adopted by silence procedure in December 2023.

With support from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) implemented three pilots to support integrated solid waste management in remote and island communities, to prevent plastic waste leakage.

COBSEA (the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia) has taken a significant step forward in addressing the critical issue of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) with the launch of a Toolbox on Ghost Gear. The Toolbox was developed in partnership with a range of organizations, with support from the Government of Canada's Ghost Gear Fund.

The Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Framework aims to integrate and harmonize all programmes, projects, and activities that were and are proposed to be implemented in the East Asian Seas by Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) in relation to all matters related to the conservation and governance of the marine and coastal environments, including its biodiversity and ecosystems condi

The purpose of this guide is to share “proven practices”—good practices with demonstrated effectiveness—that facilitate achievement of improved waste collection, waste management, and reduction of plastic pollution in Southeast Asia.

The Marine Litter Monitoring Methods Handbook provides information to participants in COBSEA participating countries about the different monitoring approaches that are taken in international marine litter monitoring programs.

The Fourth Meeting of the COBSEA Working Group on Marine Litter (WGML) was held on 10-11 October 2022 as a hybrid Meeting, with participation of Working Group focal points and representatives of COBSEA countries, as well as observers and UNEP colleagues.

The National Source Inventory (NSI) report is intended to collect available data in Cambodia on plastic products lifecycle and flows, waste generation, composition and disposal flows, and results arising from monitoring of freshwater and wastewater, coastal and marine environments.

Meeting Report - Part 2 of the Twenty-fifth Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM 25) was convened in a hybrid format, with 25 participants attending in-person and 34 participants joining virtually through the Webex platform in Hanoi, Viet Nam on 12-13 October 2022. The resumed IGM 25 followed the first part of IGM 25, held online on 8-9 September 2021.