National and local governments in South East Asia are becoming more active in reducing plastic waste and addressing marine plastic pollution. These efforts are being driven by economic incentives, as well as the demands of civil society, youth, socially-responsible businesses, and international efforts.

Governments are taking action through enabling market-based instruments, and promoting waste management programmes. It is important to forge strong partnerships through various initiatives for localizing solutions to plastic pollution in cities and countries.

Discussion in this session will focus on national and municipal authorities which are championing change and demonstrating policy innovations to tackle plastic waste. Discussants will consider how the private sector and civil society can work together with national and local governemnt to localize plastic pollution solutions. Solutions will demonstrate how national governments are promoting local governments to champion plastic waste management, and how local actions by municipalities can be upscaled.