Currently, units under MONRE are consulting on a draft National Action Plan on ocean plastic waste management by 2030. The draft outlines tasks towards the improved management of ocean plastic waste and behavioural change in dealing with plastic products, including the deployment of technologies and the waste treatment of ocean plastic.

To raise international awareness on the issue, MONRE plans to implement an ASEAN Forum on ocean plastic waste during Vietnam`s spell as Chair of ASEAN in 2020, where it will introduce a baseline assessment on the current status of marine plastic waste in Vietnam.

To strengthen ocean waste governance, MONRE proposes certain management mechanisms in the draft plan to analyse the role and legal commitments and compliance of the packaging industry in waste management with the goal of building an extended responsibility framework. Environmental technical regulations and national standards will be strengthened in this regard.