SWITCH-Asia Policy Support
European Union
United Nations Environment Programm

SWITCH-PSC is facilitating the establishment of the "ASEAN Forum on SCP"

On 27-28 October 2011 the second preparatory meeting for the establishment of the “ASEAN forum on SCP” took place in Jakarta, Indonesia. The meeting was hosted by the Government of Indonesia (as the ASOEN National Chairperson) and supported by the EU and UNEP. The meeting was a follow up of the 1st ASEAN workshop on SCP that took place on 25-26 April in Jakarta Indonesia.

 

In the first meeting the ASEAN Member States (AMS) have recognized the need towards the establishment of an ASEAN cooperation mechanism that can facilitate the implementation of SCP activities in the ASEAN Member States and at the sub-regional level. It has been identified that this cooperation mechanism will try to address and take advantage of the following challenges and opportunities for SCP in ASEAN:

Challenges:

  • Need for capacity building and technology transfer from developed countries to AMS to enhance understanding on SCP issues.
  • Duplication of activities and functions among public agencies and overlap of SCP with other issues like CC
  • Limited available financial resources for SCP or inaccessibility of funds
  • Need for technical expertise and capacity on SCP issues at the national level
  • Need for adequate mechanisms to involve businesses and industries in SCP
  • Need for results based monitoring and evaluation on SCP
  • Gap between law and implementation
  • Very low awareness on consumption issues
  • Fragmented approaches among various stakeholders and lack of cross-sectoral coordination
  • Regulation and legal framework not directly addressing SCP needs
  • Need to have different approaches regarding the integration of SCP into national agendas for AMS at different stages of development.
  • Need to continue focusing on sustainable use of natural resources

Opportunities:

  • Some traditional/indigenous knowledge in ASEAN local communities can provide practical solutions to SCP challenges
  • Good cooperation among ASEAN Member States on environmental issues that can be extended to SCP
  • Work on harmonizing environment related standards is already under way at the ASEAN level
  • Very good commitment on SCP at the political level
  • Previous work of the APRSCP beneficial for ASEAN and need to be strengthened

 

On the basis of the recommendations of the first meeting, UNEP within the framework of the SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component, coordinated the drafting of a background paper that could describe the objectives, structure and functions of such cooperation mechanism on SCP.

 

The background paper was presented on the 27-28 October meeting and an extensive discussion among the ASM has resulted in the establishment of the “ASEAN Forum on SCP”.

 

After brainstorming and consultation the ASM member states have decided that the Forum will be a voluntary policy mechanism that will:

 

  • Provide a venue for Policy dialogue and collaboration on SCP national and regional strategies, planning and implementation including technical support to ASEAN Member States (AMS).
  • Provide a venue for discussions on research and innovation for sustainable consumption and production patterns that can support tailored, effective policy design and actions.
  • Develop a resource pool and to explore opportunity for capacity building to support governments and other stakeholders at national and regional level in a transition to SCP, and to support public awareness campaigns on SCP.
  • Encourage discussion on emerging issues on SCP between AMS including the development of links with the relevant ASEAN Working Groups to promote cooperation on SCP between AMS and global/regional initiatives on SCP.

The activities of the forum will be:

  • Policy dialogue

     –  Annual meeting of Forum members

     –  High-level dialogue under ASOEN and ASEAN Ministerial Meeting

  • Studies

     –  National factsheets on SCP including review of the status on consumption and production patterns

     –  Information exchange on sustainable traditional practices in AMS

  • Capacity building

     –  Training for public sector including training of trainers

     –  Public awareness on SCP

  • Cooperation

     –  Joint events (on a case by case basis) with SWITCH-Asia, the APRSCP, AWGs and ASEAN+3

     –  Study tours and events to share best practices

  • Communication

     –  Policy Fairs for exhibition of materials

     –  Information sharing to all relevant stakeholders

 

Furthermore the ASM have decided that the Forum should be served by a Secretariat and have requested UNEP to host the Secretariat of the Forum.

 

UNEP has accepted to act as the Forum’s Secretariat and provide technical support.

 

The establishment of the ASEAN Forum on SCP showcases the increased political interest of the South-East Asia countries on SCP issues and demonstrates with an exemplary way the facilitation mechanism that the SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component can provide at the regional and sub-regional level. It is expected that the Forum will provide the necessary environment for the further integration of the SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component Activities in the ASEAN region.

For more information please contact the Secretariat of the Forum at:

Dr. Stefanos Fotiou

United Nations Environment Programme

Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

Bangkok, Thailand

+6622881133