Marine debris meeting hosted in Bangkok

BANGKOK, Aug 4 (TNA) -- Concerns over plastic wastes which are dumped in to the seas and oceans at between 4.8-12.7 million tonnes worldwide annually, experts of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), international organisations and academics have gathered in Bangkok to explore ways to tackle the issue. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Virasakdi Futrakul on Friday told participants while he presided over a meeting on ‘Sustainable Marine Environment: Marine Debris’ that the problem is now crucial because world production of plastics has increased to 380 million tonnes annually. Marine debris has severely affected environment and people livelihood worldwide, therefore, it is necessary that every country has to cooperate and issue measures to resolve marine debris problem seriously, said Mr Virasakdi. Thailand, he said has attached importance in achieving the development goal on sustainable basis as the country is putting efforts on resolving illegal fishing as well as on reforming the entire system of fishing industry and conserving natural marine environment which impacted marine lives and food. It is essential for Thailand which becomes ASEAN chairman next year to seek international cooperation in tackling this problem on sustainable basis, said Mr Virasakdi. Besides the meeting, Thailand organises a two-day exhibition on innovations and technology in marine debris management at the hotel. The exhibition, ends Saturday, intends to raise awareness on the challenges arising from marine debris and plastic waste as well as providing inspiration to the viewers on innovative thinking to tackle marine debris and pollution in the present and in the future. (TNA)