📋 Tender Overview
On February 27 the Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA signed a Record of Discussions with the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand in Bangkok for the Project for formation of a center of excellence for marine plastic pollution studies in the Southeast Asian seas under the program of Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development SATREPS 1.Marine plastic pollution is one of the serious global environmental issues that require urgent countermeasures. However the current situation of marine plastics such as flow amount and negative impact on the marine environment are not clearly understood. Therefore to take efficient countermeasures accumulation of scientific knowledge is required as a global issue to understand the current situation of marine plastics by establishing research and monitoring systems.Given these circumstances the project aims to establish an academic center of excellence COE in Thailand and to submit recommendations for reducing marine plastics to Thailands governmental organizations based on the scientific evidence obtained from research conducted in the Gulf of Thailand and the Samae San area. Through these processes the Project will establish a sustainable framework for monitoring and management of marine plastics in the Southeast Asian seas which will contribute to specific measures for reduction of marine plastics. The project will also contribute to the achievement of SDGs Goals 11 12 and 14.1 SATREPS is a joint research program that links Japan with universities and research agencies in developing countries to develop and apply new technology and acquire new scientific knowledge. These efforts are aimed to address global issues including those related to the environment energy biological resources disaster risk reduction and infectious diseases and support independence and sustainable development in developing countries. SATREPS aims to advance solutions to challenges while improving the research level at universities and research agencies in developing countries and strengthening the overall capacity to work on such issues.Details for the project are provided below.Basic project informationCountry The Kingdom of ThailandProject title the Project for formation of a center of excellence for marine plastic pollution studies in the Southeast Asian seasPlanned implementation period 60 monthsExecuting agency Chulalongkorn University Eastern Asia University Walailak University Burapha University Prince of Songkhla University Department of Marine and Coastal Resources DMCR of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment MONRECollaborating agencies Pollution Control Department PCD of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment MONRE Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Kasetsart University UNESCOIOC WESTPAC FAO-AFMATarget regions Samae San Area Sattahip District Chonburi Province and the Gulf of ThailandJapanese cooperation agencies Kyushu University Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology Kumamoto University Kagoshima University Chuo University Kyoto University Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold RegionSpecific project activities1 Establish monitoring procedures for marine plastics in beach and coastal waters2 Establish monitoring procedures for marine plastic quantity and impact on the marine environment3 Develop new monitoring procedures for plastic wastes on land4 Submit recommendations for reducing marine plastics based on scientific evidence to Thailands governmental organizations5 Enhance coordination among researchers and raise the awareness of local communities public and policy makers regarding marine plastics
