MANILA (XINHUA) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday said it has approved a loan of USD500 million to strengthen Indonesia’s programme to reduce plastic marine debris.
The programme will focus on supporting the country’s National Action Plan for Handling Marine Debris, which aims to reduce plastic waste flow into the oceans by 70 per cent by 2025, the ADB said.
“ADB is pleased to partner with Indonesia to reduce marine debris while promoting the development of the blue economy,” said ADB Country Director for Indonesia Jiro Tominaga.
Rampant plastic pollution has threatened Indonesia’s coastal areas, home to 70 per cent of the country’s population and vital for major economic contributors including marine tourism and fisheries.
By approving the loan, the ADB promises to support Indonesia’s action plan by improving plastic waste management, reducing problematic plastic production and consumption, and strengthening data and monitoring tools for policy making.
