The IORA-AFD Workshop on Marine Debris, themed “Promoting scientific research, innovation and investment opportunities for a sustainable management of marine debris in the Indian Ocean,” was a strategic initiative aimed at transforming regional knowledge into actionable strategies. Held from 24–26 March 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, the workshop’s primary purpose was to support the implementation of the IORA Strategic Framework of Action on Marine Debris.
Key objectives included raising awareness of the socio-economic impacts of debris, presenting innovative technological solutions, and exploring financial tools like debt-for-nature swaps and blue bonds to support sustainable waste management. The event was organized by IORA and co-hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand through the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), with implementation by the IORA Secretariat and Expertise France, and funding from the French Development Agency (AFD). Participation was robust, bringing together scientists, experts, and key stakeholders from across IORA Member States and Dialogue Partners. Notably, women led 63% of the presentations, highlighting their pivotal role in regional ocean science.
The program featured four thematic sessions covering the transport and accumulation of plastics, standardized monitoring through systems like the Integrated Marine Debris Observing System (IMDOS), and innovative solutions such as those proposed by Plastic Odyssey and The Ocean Cleanup. A major highlight was a site visit to The Interceptor 019 on the Chao Phraya River, where participants witnessed advanced technology used to stop debris from entering the Gulf of Thailand.
Main outcomes included the recommendation to bridge the gap between science and policy using standardized data and the identification of innovative financing mechanisms to incentivize private sector engagement.
This workshop is directly relevant to IORA’s Blue Economy cross-cutting issue, advancing regional cooperation and capacity building to protect the ecological integrity and economic value of the Indian Ocean.
