Chinese researcher-led project endorsed in UNESCO Ocean Decade Actions

(ECNS) -- A project proposing to reduce ocean plastic waste from rivers in Asia led by a Chinese researcher was endorsed in Ocean Decade Actions by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO).

The project was proposed by IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) and led by Professor Li Daoji from East China Normal University.

In the context of global celebrations for World Oceans Day, IOC/UNESCO announced the first actions endorsed as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021-2030, Ocean Decade.

At present, 10 scientific research, government, enterprise and other institutions from seven countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia jointly participated in the implementation of "Ocean Decade" related projects.

The project will carry out activities such as on-site investigation, joint research, public awareness promotion, and exchange of experience and results in plastic waste control and disposal. Through strengthening science-based emission reduction actions, the project aims to respond to the severe global marine plastic pollution.

Due to the dense population and relatively backward garbage disposal capacity, the Asia-Pacific region is a hotspot of marine plastic pollution, said Professor Li. The control of plastic waste in this region is a key part of the global marine plastic pollution control, he added.

Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the Ocean Decade seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyze new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem, it was noticed.