Southeast Asia, home to ASEAN, has a vast water area, according to MOCI (2023), more than 66% of its territory is ocean. The region’s oceans account for 2.5% of the world’s total seawater. While this provides lucrative potential for ASEAN member states, challenges to environmental safety, especially the issue of marine debris, are also becoming more pressing. Data shows that five out of ten countries with the largest marine debris disposal in the world are ASEAN member states, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia Fadilah, 2022). Indonesia faces an urgency to address marine debris that negatively affects the health of marine biota and humans. The author understands that marine debris pollution has become a global concern in recent years and is an urgent challenge, as it is extremely harmful to marine ecosystems and also impacts the global landscape (international relations). The ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debrisestablished in 2019 in Bangkok is an optimistic step in addressing the marinedebris problem. To that end, the author will focus on three main arguments, namely: (1) marine debris as a non-traditional security threat to Southeast Asia, (2) ASEAN’s strategic role in coordinating policies and collective actions to tackle marine debris, and (3) implementation challenges and the importance of technological independence in addressing marine debris in Indonesia.

It should be emphasized that the importance of reducing the impact of marine debris is not only limited to environmental considerations but also involves human health and safety factors, furthermore we can see that it can also destabilize the social and economic stability of ASEAN countries. This can be seen from the perspective of the Regional Environmental Security Complex theory, which views the marine debris issue as a significant non-traditional threat to the environmental security and socio-economic stability of ASEAN countries. As outlined by Gaeun Lee (2002), this theory asserts that environmental pollution not only has ecological impacts but also affects national and regional security dynamics. In this case, the complexity of the relationship between ASEAN member states can be seen through their interactions in responding to the challenges faced due to marine debris. For example, as Indonesia seeks to implement an action plan to address marine debris, neighboring countries may feel the direct or indirect impact of the resulting pollution, which may create tension or trigger cooperation between them.

The increasing accumulation of marine debris can cause damage to marine ecosystems that are vital for the survival of various types of marine life. Every year, millions of tons of plastic pollute the oceans and damage important marine habitats, such as coral reefs. As a result, the ecosystems that support marine life are now on the brink of collapse, resulting in a loss of biodiversity that can disrupt the balance of ecosystems, potentially harming the health of humans who depend on marine resources. With more than 600 marine species threatened by plastic pollution, this threat is very real and can affect the food chain, resulting in the loss of biodiversity and human health and reduced availability of fish, a source of protein for millions of people in the region. Just imagine that plastic debris that breaks down into microplastics can accumulate in fish and other marine organisms, the potential long-term health effects of consuming fish contaminated with microplastics are not fully understood but could include hormonal problems, developmental disorders, and even cancer. Therefore, mitigating the problem of marine debris not only supports environmental sustainability but is also an important step in safeguarding human health and ensuring the safety of seafood consumed. Economically, the impacts of marine debris are also very significant. Coastal communities that depend on fishing as a source of income face huge losses when fish populations decline due to pollution. Decreased catches have a direct impact on fishers’ livelihoods and can worsen socio-economic conditions in the region. In addition, the tourism industry, which is vital to many countries in the region, is also threatened. Dirty and polluted beaches reduce the attractiveness of tourist destinations, which in turn can lead to loss of income and employment.

ASEAN’s role as a regional organization is crucial in dealing with major challenges such as marine debris. The ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris implemented in Indonesia reflects a collective effort to address transboundary environmental issues. One important aspect of this action plan is the strengthening of cross-border collaboration, where pollution in one country can impact neighboring countries. Countries that have developed effective waste management technologies are expected to assist other countries, including through technology exchange and training to build local capacity. However, even though ASEAN has formulated an agreement, the problem of marine debris is still persistent with little significant change. Weaknesses in institutional design and ambiguous political will from member states are the main obstacles to the implementation of this program. Political will reflects the commitment of political leaders to take concrete action, and the lack of real commitment from member states hinders the implementation of the agreement. This raises serious questions about the extent of the political will of member states in implementing the agreement. Collective action on marine litter will help ASEAN strengthen its position as a key actor in the global discussion on sustainability and environmental management. By taking the lead in addressing marine debris, ASEAN can draw international attention and demonstrate its commitment to the environment, as well as open up opportunities for further support and cooperation from other countries and global organizations.

The challenges of implementing the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in Indonesia are complex and require serious attention. One of the main challenges is the limited technology in waste management. Many regions in Indonesia still rely on inefficient traditional waste management methods, which are unable to handle the growing volume of plastic waste. Amid a troubling increase in the amount of marine debris, technological limitations are a major hindrance in creating effective and sustainable solutions. Furthermore, the issue of limited funding is a significant obstacle in implementing the established programs. Without adequate financial support, it is difficult to build the necessary waste management infrastructure to support these programs. This raises questions about the political commitment of ASEAN member states to give sufficient priority to the issue of marine debris management.

Local capacity is also an important issue to consider. Many communities in Indonesia do not have a sufficient understanding of the importance of marine debris management and its impact on the environment and human health. Therefore, investment in education and training for local communities is necessary to enable them to actively participate in marine debris reduction efforts. Without widespread understanding and participation from the community, any efforts made to tackle this issue will run in place. Criticisms of the program’s performance have also emerged, mainly related to the non-binding nature of the ASEAN tools that govern this action plan. Research by Ria Wierma Putri and Febryani Sabatira shows that the fundamental principles of the ASEAN Way, which emphasize consensus and non-intervention, often hamper the level of compliance among member states. This creates challenges in ensuring that all member states are committed to implementing the same policies consistently. In the absence of clear monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, many agreements will remain documents without action.

Therefore, ASEAN must encourage investment in waste management technology and waste handling infrastructure for the program to be effective at the national level. More than just a statement of commitment, ASEAN must show concrete actions in supporting its member states, especially the most vulnerable ones like Indonesia, with the necessary resources to create an efficient system. Collaboration between member states in sharing technology and experience is also urgently needed to tackle this transnational problem. With concrete steps and shared commitments, ASEAN can strengthen its collective efforts in addressing the marine debris problem and ensure environmental sustainability and food security in the region.

The three arguments that have been presented all show that although ASEAN has taken positive steps through the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris, the program has not been successful in significantly addressing the marine debris problem. Weaknesses in institutional design and ambiguous political will from member states are the main barriers to the implementation of this program. The issue of marine debris not only has the potential to damage ecosystems and human health, but can also destabilize social and economic stability in regions that rely heavily on marine resources. Therefore, strong political commitment and adequate resource support are crucial to ensure that the agreements made can be implemented effectively. By addressing these challenges, ASEAN can not only improve environmental conditions in Southeast Asia, but also strengthen its position as a key actor in the global discussion on sustainability and marine resource management. It is time for member states to come together and take collective action for a cleaner and more sustainable future for the region.