country list: Republic of Korea

South-East Asia marine litter and plastic circular economy initiatives coordination workshop

Ocean Innovation Challenge

UNDP has launched a new call to action— Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) to accelerate progress on SDG 14 targets. The OIC seeks innovations that are transferable, replicable and scalable. The Challenge grants range from US$50,000 to US$250,000.

Enter the challenge

Recognizing the increasing urgency of tackling ocean pollution, particularly from plastics and nutrients, the first of several planned OICs focuses on SDG 14.1- Reduce Marine Pollution.

“At a time when the world’s oceans and seas face unprecedented pressures, UNDP’s new Ocean Innovation Challenge will shine a light on innovative, entrepreneurial and creative approaches that can advance ocean and coastal restoration and protection,” says Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.

“Supporting the blue economy in this way can help us achieve SDG 14— while spurring economic development and helping to reduce poverty and inequality.”

From fisheries to aquaculture to industrial agriculture, the ‘business as usual’ scenario will not deliver the kinds of transformational change needed to move towards truly sustainable ocean use.

“With four of SDG14’s ten targets maturing in 2020, we have a critical year ahead for the well-being of the Ocean. Thus the UN Ocean Conference, to be held 2-6 June 2020 in Lisbon, will have special importance in supporting the implementation of SDG14,” says Peter Thomson, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Oceans.

“To achieve SDG14, we must break new ground with innovative technologies, policies, regulations and financial instruments. In this regard, the new UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge is a most welcome addition to the growing number of ocean incubators and accelerators.”

For interested parties to take part in the Ocean Innovation Challenge:

The innovations to be submitted can include technological as well as cutting edge policy, regulatory, financial, economic or other actions that address either sea-based or land-based sectors.

Initial concepts can be submitted by public or private entities, including governments, private companies (including start-ups), NGO/CSO, United Nations entities, academic institutions, and intergovernmental organizations.

The Challenge must be implemented in and benefit stakeholders in developing countries, but may be submitted by developing or developed country proponents.

For more information and to submit a preliminary concept, see the Ocean Innovation Challenge website at www.oceaninnovationchallenge.org .

The Nippon Foundation Sustainable Ocean Programme Thematic Fellowship

Call for applications

The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the Office of Legal Affairs is now accepting applications for the 2020 session of the United Nations – The Nippon Foundation Thematic Fellowship.

The 2020 session of the Thematic Fellowship will focus on the “Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and ocean governance frameworks”.

The Thematic Fellowship aims at increasing capacity at the national level through funded advanced training and research in the above thematic area. Following the Fellowship, it is expected that awardees would have obtained the necessary skills to assist their countries to formulate policies towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in conformity with UNCLOS and related instruments.

In 2020, twelve fellowships will be awarded: ten to candidates from developing States, and two to candidates from developed States. The Programme will consist of a four-month training phase with DOALOS at United Nations Headquarters in New York, from mid-August to mid-December 2020.

Required qualifications: Please note that candidates must be between the ages of 25 and 40, possess at least a first university degree or equivalent, and demonstrate a solid background in ocean affairs, including Law of the Sea, and a need for further in-depth training in this year’s thematic area. They must be Government officials or other mid-level professionals dealing directly with issues such as, but not limited to, sustainable development of oceans and seas, including the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Women are strongly invited to apply, with a view to achieving gender balance in the selection process.

A detailed outline of the required qualifications, along with the application forms and additional Programme information is available on the Fellowship Programme webpage.

Please note that candidates are expected to use the application package, which can be downloaded from this homepage.

Completed applications must be transmitted to DOALOS at doalos@un.org, copied to vracar@un.org, germani@un.org and jessica.howley@un.org no later than 20 March 2020. Kindly note that it will not be possible to consider incomplete or late applications.

Awards will be made by mid-May 2020 and successful candidates will begin the Programme in mid-August 2020.

SEA of Solutions 2019 Report

SEA of Solutions 2019 was the first annual partnership week convened by the SEA circular initiative. SEA of Solutions 2019 brought together governments, business leaders, scientists, UN agencies and community groups, to dialogue on solutions for marine plastic pollution.
Over 500 registered participants from more than 40 countries, 115 speakers in 20 sessions and 25 exhibition booths, all highlighted solutions to prevent marine plastic pollution. The first annual SEA of Solutions event was successful in generating dialogue and promoting opportunities for future collaboration and partnerships. More than 300 organizations, including well over 100 companies, NGOs, governmental bodies, academic, and youth groups sent representatives from across the region to this event, fostering partnerships in the region to combat the transboundary problem of plastic pollution – under the uniting mantra of ‘Together, less plastic wasted’.

Republic of Korea

As a COBSEA participating country, the Republic of Korea is a knowledge partner for SEA circular. The Republic of Korea has developed policies, initiatives, coordinated processes, scientific data and research which SEA circular will utilize to advance regional action and knowledge exchange.

Causes and challenges

South Korea is one of the world’s biggest plastic consumers. Municipal solid waste management is a challenge, with the Ministry of Environment claiming that there are 1.2 million tons of illegally abandoned waste across South Korea. As a consequence, marine litter has become a serious environmental, economic and social problem.  The fishery industry has been particularly effected.

Korea aims to deal with waste produced in the country through recycling, processing into fuel, or incineration. However, due to tightened regulations on waste-to-energy plants and waste incineration facilities, the number of incineration facilities has fallen significantly. Excess waste is frequently exported and can end up polluting neighbouring countries in South-East Asia.

Ways Forward

Since the late 1990’s, the South Korean government has initiated research and development of integrated management strategies and guidelines to prevent marine litter at the national level. This includes a survey of ports and other coastal regions of Korea and activities for marine litter clean-up.

Initiatives are underway for the prevention of plastic litter entering the coastal environments especially from the land-based sources.  Other advances are underway to promote a more circular economy. 

Download SEA circular Country Profile for South Korea for more information

Circulate Capital closes US$ 106M fund to protect Asia’s ocean from plastic

4 December 2019, Singapore: Circulate Capital, a Singapore-based investment management firm dedicated to incubating and financing companies and infrastructure that prevent ocean plastic in South and South-East Asia (SSEA), held the first close of the US$106m Circulate Capital Ocean Fund (CCOF).

Created in collaboration with Closed Loop Partners and Ocean Conservancy, CCOF’s founding investors include PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), the first investor, Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), Dow (NYSE: DOW), Danone (EPA: BN), Unilever (NYSE: UN), The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC.

Circulate Capital is dedicated to addressing the financing gap between available private capital and the resources needed by Asia’s waste industry systems, CCOF will provide both debt and equity financing to waste management, recycling and circular economy start-ups and SMEs in South and South-East Asia focused on preventing plastic pollution and advancing the circular economy.

The investment model seeks to mobilize institutional investors by blending concessionary funds with investment capital.

The firm has identified more than 200 potential investment opportunities across a range of industries in the region, with their first investments targeted in the coming weeks.

More information on Circulate Capital Ocean Fund

SEA of Solutions 2019: Event Summary

SEA of Solutions 2019 was the first annual partnership week convened by SEA circular. SEA of Solutions 2019 took place at the UNCC in Bangkok in November 2019. The event brought together governments, business leaders, scientists, UN agencies and community groups, to dialogue on solutions for marine plastic pollution.
More about SEA of Solutions 2019