The ASEAN SDGs Frontrunner Cities Programme (SDGs-FC) is a new initiative under the ASEAN Working Group on Environmentally Sustainable Cities (AWGESC) funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). It aims to support ASEAN cities to achieve inclusive, sustainable, resilient and dynamic development in line with ASEAN Vision 2020. The programme strategically builds on the ASEAN ESC Model Cities programme (2011 – 2017), which had supported and recognised 40 frontrunner cities in their innovative practices/policies in bottom-up environmental management.

The AMS are already active in tackling marine debris through the development of national policy strategies and measures such as National Action Plans 22 to tackle marine debris and plastic waste, national waste management strategies and circular economy strategies. The following national strategies have been adopted or are in the process of adoption in the AMS.