Ocean health is imperative if we are to stand a chance in the fight against climate change.

Across the Asia Pacific region, the health of oceans and curbing the plastic pollution is a growing concern.

As part of the 52^nd Asian Development Bank’s board of governors meeting in Nadi, the initiative on a Healthy Oceans Action Plan was launched.

ADB’s Director Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, Bruce Dunn says bulking up on recycling across the region is an avenue to be tapped into.

“Places like Fiji rely on Tourism and healthy oceans has a great significance, one of the things we’re looking at doing is working with countries in the ASEAN region, developing not only the healthy oceans action plan but a new regional technical assistance recognizing the right policies and then scaling up the investments in areas such as recycling plants so we can reduce the flow of plastic pollution in the oceans.”

More than $10 billion has been allocated for the ADB’s Healthy Oceans action plan from 2019 to 2024.

The Action Plan for healthy oceans and sustainable blue economies will expand financing and technical assistance for ocean health and marine economy projects which is expected to include co-financing from other development partners.

Meanwhile, the ADB annual meeting of its board of governors will officially open today.