As lobbyists flood plastic treaty talks, negotiators must uphold the rule of law to prevent corporate capture, including existing guidelines to stop the tobacco industry — a major source of plastic waste — from influencing policies.
The region can shape the Global Plastics Treaty if it maintains its momentum from COP16, where the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia called for the inclusion of Indigenous peoples rights and stronger collaboration on biodiversity finance.
Food loss is a significant economic cost, fuels climate change and adds to food insecurity. Food banking is a key solution to this problem that has greater potential to grow across Southeast Asia.