Research, assessment and the development of context-specific strategies help tackle the region's key waste issues and serve as blueprints for the adoption of healthy and sustainable waste management practices. Conducting policy review, assessment, and delivering policy recommendation for sustainable waste management is one of the core strengths of the cluster.
The WMC takes responsibility for conducting research-based policy analyses that help to support governments and corporate stakeholders as they move towards implementing sustainable waste management. We develop policy briefs - provide practical recommendations to inform local and national action plans and strategies, while the facilitation of policy dialogue and discussions catalyze diverse actors to work together to achieve international commitments for sustainable development.
A core function of the WMC is to promote sustainable waste management through training programmes that fill knowledge gaps, inform policy and contribute to the adoption of safe and efficient waste management practices.
Information platforms make the latest environmental research accessible to policymakers, who can then implement 3R and sustainable waste management on a greater scale. Besides the regular publication of project reports, assessment studies, and scientific articles in international journals, we develop and maintain online knowledge platforms. These include collating information, synthesizing data, and creating contents of various formats (case studies, fact sheets, reports, e-learning modules) and maintaining an online portal for wider dissemination.
The WMC regularly organizes and facilitates high-level meetings and policy forums, including for ASEAN member states, UN bodies to assist with the integration of regional goals into national frameworks and establish platforms for cooperative dialogue. We are working in all regional, national, and local levels; although we have been working mainly in Asia and the Pacific, we would like to expand our partnership with other regions.
The WMC works alongside non-governmental organizations and local governments to implement pilot projects to facilitate the application and transfer of sustainable waste management technology.