By AIT Public Affairs
30 September 2025- The Asian Institute of Technology and UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) have signed an agreement on September 30 to implement the Regional Training Programme for Plastic Waste under the SEA-MaP initiative, supported by the World Bank, the ASEAN Secretariat, and UNOPS. The agreement was signed by Mr. Srinivasa Popuri, Chief of UN-Habitat Bangkok Multi-Country Office, and Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, Co-Director of GWSC. The agreement enables AIT, as the Implementing Partner, to carry out key project activities under “The Southeast Asia Regional Programme on Combating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP).”
The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of ASEAN Member States in plastic waste management, marine plastic abatement, and circular economy through training, study tours, and a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), making knowledge widely accessible across the region. Running from September 2025 to March 2026, it targets government agencies, local authorities, communities, civil society, and ASEAN bodies, equipping policymakers, technical staff, and stakeholders with practical tools to improve plastic waste management across the region.
Under the agreement, AIT will review existing training resources, assess regional training needs, and develop new courses, including MOOC-based learning, to strengthen capacities in marine litter management and the circular economy. The work also includes stakeholder consultations, a training-of-trainers manual, pilot training delivery, a sustainability and handover plan, and support for monitoring and learning throughout implementation.
These efforts will support ASEAN’s regional action plans and provide sustainable solutions for reducing plastic waste and marine litter. UN-Habitat, through its Bangkok Programme Office, will oversee implementation, coordinate with SEA-MaP partners and stakeholders, provide financial support, review project outputs, and offer strategic guidance on implementation and financial management.
