Delegates from Southeast Asia and the EU met in Brussels to discuss waste trafficking prevention.
Bangkok, 4 March 2024 – The UNODC Unwaste project has taken another important step in the fight against waste trafficking by bringing together delegates from the European Union (EU) and Southeast Asia to discuss preventive action. During a four-day study tour to Brussels, Belgium and Rotterdam, Netherlands in early 2024, delegates identified joint measures and made recommendations to improve cooperation in preventing and combating waste trafficking from the EU to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam. The visit builds on the success of a previous study tour to Brussels, Belgium and Genoa, Italy in 2022. “The discussions held during this study tour are integral to building a collective picture of waste trafficking between the two regions, but also to explaining the respective rules of each partner so EU and Southeast Asian policies are better understood and implemented. Such efforts are critical to protecting the integrity of circular economies.” said Mr. Julien Garsany, Representative, UNODC Brussels Liaison Office.
A total of 44 delegates and representatives from government agencies from the two regions, European Commission services and agencies, and international organizations participated in the event, which focused on promoting transparent partnership and exchange among all parties in the waste trade supply chain. Based on national perspectives and the results of the Unwaste project, participants agreed on the need for increased cooperation to ensure that waste shipments comply with the requirements of both the countries of origin and destination.
"It is the time for concerted international efforts to promote a circular economy. The principle of justice, compliance, and environmentally sound management practices need to be upheld. Hence, efforts to combat illegal trafficking of waste require significant cooperation between various agencies among parties to ensure the transboundary movement of waste is in accordance with the International and National Law." noted Dr Norhazni Binti Mat Sari;Deputy Director General, Department of Environment of Malaysia.
Some initial findings of the forthcoming UNODC study “Turning the Tide: a deep dive into the EU-Southeast Asia waste-trafficking wave” were shared and discussed during the first day’s session, while delegates presented their achievements, challenges and critical aspects requiring cooperation, laying the groundwork for further collaboration. For example, the links between waste trafficking and circular economy, and the modus operandi of criminal actors along with regulatory reforms put in place to tackle waste trafficking were highlighted. The second day, which was hosted by the EU’s Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), focused on improving cooperation between relevant authorities from the two regions.
“We are facing the same enemy with high capacity to work easily across borders, so it is crucial to have an event like this. Officers in EU ports may not know the regulations in each and every country of destination, but a network can be built through this kind of event so each side can reach out to each other and share information on rules and requirements,” said Mr Ernesto Bianchi – Director of Revenue and International Operations, Investigations & Strategy at OLAF.
Following talks in Brussels, the delegates from Southeast Asia visited the Port of Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe.
For the delegates from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam, the study tour continued to Rotterdam, where the Customs Administration of the Netherlands led a tour of the Dutch State Inspection Terminal at the port of Rotterdam, Europe’s busiest port. During the visit, the delegates gained a practical insight into operational activities and challenges at this major transit hub and shared their experiences from a destination country perspective. They also learnt about the specific procedures required for waste shipments in the EU and the challenges faced by Dutch customs in this respect.
“By working closely together we, as Environmental experts, can support Customs to create and adapt the profiles for selecting the containers for inspection. […] As a result of this Unwaste project we hope to have created a robust data exchange protocol between EU and Asian countries,” noted Mr. Enno Christan from The Netherlands’ Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate.
The second Unwaste study tour was a successful example of partnership building and exchange of good practices. As the delegates return to their respective countries, a shared commitment to transparent cooperation and collective action against waste trafficking marks a significant step towards a circular economy.
