ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge
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Time: 2024
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Location: ASEAN
Discover the Problem
ASEAN holds a crucial position in global marine biodiversity, boasting a significant portion of vital
ecosystems. Specifically, ASEAN encompasses 28% of the world’s coral reefs, 31% of mangroves, and 33% of seagrass beds. Annually, these ecosystems provide essential services to ASEAN, estimated at USD 112.5 billion for coral reefs and USD 5.1 billion for mangroves. Consequently, the oceans and seas play a pivotal role in the region’s economic advancement, serving as crucial sources of sustenance, protein, and livelihoods.
Unfortunately, the region’s coastal and marine ecosystems face numerous threats, including overfishing, unsustainable fishing practices, marine debris, and climate change. Unfortunately, approximately 64% of the fisheries base across the ASEAN countries is at medium to considerable risk due to overfishing and destructive fishing methods. Moreover, oil spills and the escalating accumulation of marine debris pose imminent risks to the sustainability of fish stocks. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, with temperatures rising consistently from 0.14°C to 0.20°C per decade since the 1960s, impacting the well-being of coastal inhabitants and the productivity of coastal and oceanic ecosystems.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of the blue economy in fostering economic growth within ASEAN and recognizing the pressing need to address its challenges, ASEAN, through the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME) endorsed the implementation of “ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation”
Project, with the support of the Government of Japan and UNDP. This initiative aims to display innovative solutions sourced from diverse stakeholders — innovative micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, local communities, women’s organizations, academic institutions, and civil society entities—to advance the blue economy across the ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste, build upon the recent adoption of the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework.
By promoting cutting-edge technological innovations via inventive competitions, the project endeavours to safeguard marine and freshwater ecosystems, drive progress in oceanic climate solutions, and advocate for circular approaches to address plastic pollution, all while enhancing traceability in sustainable fisheries. These efforts are not mere strategic maneuvers but imperative actions toward safeguarding our planet’s oceans and fostering sustainable development.
Award winning initiative
Ecosystem Conservation and Community Initiative (ECCDI)
Innovator: ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge
Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos
Innovator: ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge
Magnolia Sustainable Experiences Social Enterprise
Innovator: ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge
Malaysia University of Science and Technology
Innovator: ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge
Nikola Inventor Technology and Innovation Lao
Innovator: ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge
Techo Sen Institute of Public Works and Transport
Innovator: ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge
Judges
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