Bangkok, Thailand – 18 December 2025

The SEA-MaP 2nd Innovation Expo: Preventing Plastic Pollution - Scaling ASEAN Circular Solutions, organized by the Regional Platform for Innovation and Investments in collaboration with partners, successfully concluded on 18 December 2025 in Bangkok. The Expo brought together start-ups, corporates, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders to showcase solutions and strengthen regional partnerships for the circular plastics economy.

Over the two-day event, participants explored a vibrant exhibition of start-ups and ecosystem actors presenting innovations to tackle plastic pollution, with special attention given to women-led ventures. The collaboration area provided a dedicated space for knowledge exchange, networking, and live demonstrations, enabling participants to turn innovative concepts into practical solutions.

A conference was held during the two-day event, and highlighted strategies to integrate policy and private sector efforts, using Thailand as a practical case study. Discussions focused on strengthening connections between start-ups, corporates, and investors, while identifying ways to support start-ups in scaling their solutions across the region. Participants also mapped key stakeholder touchpoints across SEA-MaP features and prioritized actions to accelerate the adoption of circular solutions across ASEAN.

The Expo hosted live start-up pitches, structured matchmaking sessions, and presentations from the SEA-MaP Accelerator program. Investors, corporates, and other ecosystem actors provided feedback, helping promising ventures identify partnership opportunities and pathways for growth.

The 2nd Innovation Expo demonstrated the power of regional collaboration, innovation, and investment in tackling plastic pollution. An event report summarizing discussions, feedback, and key outcomes will be published on the SEA-MaP website in the coming weeks, providing stakeholders with a roadmap for continued action and collaboration in the circular plastics sector.

The Platform connects start-ups, corporates, investors, policymakers, and civil society to foster collaboration and scale up innovation in plastic circularity and waste management. It addresses key barriers, including weak market demand, limited affordable technical assistance for start-ups, insufficient policy support, and systemic obstacles for women-led ventures.

The Regional Platform promotes innovative solutions that help reduce plastic pollution in Southeast Asia and contribute to the long-term outcome of effectively managing plastics and reducing plastic pollution in rivers and seas across the region of Southeast Asia.