The International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, has launched a new project, Solutions to Reduce Plastic Pollution Affecting Marine Biodiversity and Sensitive Coastal Ecosystems: Samoa, Vanuatu & Tonga, to address the growing ocean plastic crisis.
Plastic pollution presents a severe threat to marine ecosystems and to the livelihoods and economies of Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS). An IUCN study revealed that plastic accounts for up to 17% of waste generated in the Pacific region, second only to organic material. An estimated 311,000 tons of plastic waste are produced annually near coastlines. About 73% of that plastic is Ocean-bound plastic or OBP–plastic at risk of leaking into the ocean through littering, dumping, or being carried by the wind. Each year, millions of tons of plastic enter the world’s oceans, devastating marine biodiversity and undermining community well-being and economic resilience.
“The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated, given the impacts of plastics pollution; and more importantly the interconnected environmental challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, or the Triple Planetary Crisis,” said Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago, Regional Director of IUCN Oceania in her opening address. “It is therefore incumbent for us to take decisive action, towards developing sustainable, upstream circular solutions, that address our climate, biodiversity and pollution challenges.”
This IUCN-led initiative will implement upstream, circular economy solutions to reduce plastic pollution from key sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and waste management. The program focuses on five core areas: strengthening private sector engagement, enhancing regulatory and policy environments, promoting behavior change, building knowledge and capacity, and improving stakeholder coordination.
This project complements the work of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), which leads regional coordination on waste management and pollution control. It will ensure that activities in Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu are harmonized with wider Pacific efforts to tackle plastic pollution.
The project brings together government representatives from Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, alongside stakeholders from the private sector, civil society organizations, development partners, and regional agencies. The project is supported by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea.
“Through this five-year initiative, focusing on Samoa, Vanuatu, and Tonga, we aim to strengthen national capacities, promote circular economy practices, and protect sensitive marine environments from the threats of plastic waste,” said Joonyoung Ahn, First Secretary / Maritime and Fisheries Attache, Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
