The East Asia Summit (EAS) Hackathon was a regional platform designed to mobilise youth innovation in addressing marine plastic pollution. Organised by the ASEAN Foundation in collaboration with Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and co-hosted by the governments of Australia, India, and Singapore, the hackathon was held in December 2022 at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.

The programme brought together tech-savvy youth from EAS participating countries, including all ten ASEAN Member States, to co-develop digital solutions to pressing environmental issues. Participants were challenged to create tools and applications that address how governments and communities monitor marine litter and reduce plastic use, especially through small and medium-sized enterprises.

The hackathon combined expert mentoring, hands-on coding, and collaborative problem-solving to promote sustainable innovation. Participants learned from leading scientists, policymakers, and technologists while collaborating in diverse, cross-cultural teams.

Beyond competition, the initiative served as a launchpad for real-world impact. It highlighted the power of youth-driven tech solutions in regional environmental challenges and encouraged greater cooperation between nations in the East Asia Summit framework.