Regional frameworks
An overview of ASEAN’s progress in strengthening regional preparedness, along with the current framework supporting marine spill response.
Establishment of ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic organization established to promote regional stability, cooperation, and economic growth among its members.
- 1967 – founded by five nations (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand)
- 1984 – Brunei Darussalam joins
- 1995 – Vietnam joins
- 1997 – Laos and Myanmar joins
- 1999 – Cambodia joins
- 2025 – Timor Leste joins
As of today, there are eleven ASEAN member states.
Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism on Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (ASEAN MoU)
What is the ASEAN MoU?
The Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism on Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (ASEAN MoU) is based on the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC 1990). It includes details on the following areas of cooperation:
- Implement IMO conventions to prevent, prepare for, and control oil spills.
- Strengthen regional preparedness and response measures across ASEAN.
- Develop and maintain a Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan (ROSCP) for coordinated multi-state response.
- Enhance national capacities through strategies, programmes, and regular joint training and exercises.
- Promote information sharing and collaboration on scientific and technical research.
- Foster partnerships with ASEAN dialogue partners, governments, NGOs, and the shipping and petroleum industries.
A core component of the ASEAN MoU is the commitment by Member States to develop the Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan (ROSCP) and to conduct regular exercises to strengthen regional cooperation mechanisms.
Establishment timeline
1991
The Japan Association of Maritime Safety (JAMS) and the Nippon Foundation initiated the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Oil Spill Response Action Plan (ASEAN OSRAP)
1993
The six ASEAN Member States at the time (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore) signed the ASEAN OSRAP MoU. The main objective was to provide a cooperation plan for mutual assistance from Member States and relevant organizations, in the event of a major oil spill incident that exceeds the response capability of a national government. The geographic scope of the ASEAN OSRAP includes all the waters within the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) of the ASEAN Member States.
1994
Japan sponsored the Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (OSPAR) Project, though which, 1 billion Yen was donated to the ASEAN countries for the purchase of oil spill equipment to reinforce national stockpiles in 11 key locations.
1995 - 1999
Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia joined ASEAN. They did not, however, sign the ASEAN OSRAP MoU.
2009
The implementation of the ASEAN OSRAP MoU had met with challenges, as only six countries were party to the MoU. IMO set out to revitalize the ASEAN OSRAP MoU by holding a National Focal Points Meeting and Workshop. After review, a draft Strategy and Action Plan to strengthen the ASEAN OSRAP MoU was agreed by the ASEAN Member States.
2011
At a follow-up regional workshop funded by IMO, policy recommendations were made on the establishment of a Regional Cooperation Mechanism on Oil Spill Preparedness and Response, including the development of a Regional Action Plan.
It was agreed that the revised MoU would include all 10 ASEAN Member States. This was followed up by another IMO-funded regional workshop a year later, where the Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism on Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (ASEAN MoU) was drafted for submission to the 24th ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (ASEAN MTWG) meeting.
2013
The 4th IMO-funded Regional Workshop for the establishment of a Regional Cooperative Mechanism for Oil Spill Preparedness and Response was conducted.
The outcome of the workshop included a revised draft of the ASEAN MoU, for endorsement by the 35th Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM), and an Action Plan to implement provisions in the ASEAN MoU.
The revised text of the draft ASEAN MoU was subsequently approved during the 26th ASEAN MTWG meeting.
2014
During the 28th ASEAN MTWG meeting, the final text of the ASEAN MoU was agreed.
The ASEAN MoU was subsequently signed during the 20th ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) Meeting on 28 November 2014 in Mandalay, Myanmar.
The ASEAN Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan (ROSCP)
The ASEAN Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan (ROSCP) was developed under the ASEAN MoU. It provides a mechanism whereby ASEAN Member States can request for, and provide mutual support in response to oil spills, to the extent allowed by their resources.
The ASEAN ROSCP was formally adopted in the 24th ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) Meeting on 8 November 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand.
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