Clearing the oceans of plastic waste is one of the top issues at the APEC roundtable on spurring private sector involvement in advancing marine sustainability Dec. 2-3 in Taipei City. (Staff photo/Chung Kung-ju)
 

An Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation roundtable on spurring private sector involvement in advancing marine sustainability wrapped up Dec. 3 in Taipei City.
 
Hosted by the Cabinet-level Environmental Protection Administration, the two-day meeting involved academics, officials, and representatives of businesses and nongovernmental organizations from across the APEC region.
 
According to the EPA, talks centered on topics like reduction of plastic debris and ship emissions, oil spill management and prevention, and development of marine-based renewable energy and offshore wind farms. Conclusions will be submitted to the APEC Oceans and Fisheries Working Group for discussion at its conference in 2020.
 
The 20th edition of the roundtable is part of commitments made during oceans-related ministerial meetings staged under the auspices of APEC. These include Xiamen Declaration in 2014; Paracas Declaration, 2010; Bali Action Plan, 2005; and Seoul Oceans Declaration, 2002.
 
As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue supporting such APEC undertakings while promoting environmental sustainability and marine conservation, the EPA said.
 
Since joining APEC in 1991, Taiwan has made substantial contributions to the regional economic forum. These span a broad spectrum of areas such as disaster prevention, food security, small and medium enterprise development and women’s empowerment. (YCH-E)