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India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopt a joint statement on sustainable tourism, pledging to promote environmentally friendly practices and reduce pollution.India and leaders of ASEAN member states on Sunday adopted the ‘ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Sustainable Tourism’, reaffirming their commitment to promoting eco-friendly, inclusive and responsible tourism across the region, with a focus on environmental sustainability and pollution reduction as key priorities under the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two parties.
According to the statement issued after the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the leaders agreed to adopt a “reduce, reuse and recycle” model, promote travel for “life actions”, and ensure sustainable pro-planet practices in the tourism sector.
The statement called for optimal use of land and water resources, reducing overcrowding and overuse of natural assets, and promoting biodiversity-friendly tourism practices. It also encouraged the elimination of single-use plastics, sustainable sourcing, and improved destination management to ensure long-term environmental management.
“Adopting environmental sustainability as one of the important goals as set forth, inter alia, by the United Nations Tourism, which can be achieved by adapting the model of reduce, reuse, recycle and sustainable practices supporting the planet and society, including the optimal use of resources such as land, water and decarbonisation efforts, by following Travel for Life measures, reducing congestion, and using… Excessive use of natural resources, and the adoption of environmentally friendly biodiversity. “Practices, sourcing sustainably, reducing unnecessary packaging, recycling tourism supplies, ensuring no plastics are used and enhancing destination management protocols to ensure better environmental management and long-term sustainability,” the statement read.
To tackle pollution, India and ASEAN countries have committed to adhering to norms and standards to reduce air, water and land pollution through responsible consumption, stricter implementation of environmental regulations, and strengthening environmental, social and governance (ESG) protocols.
The leaders also called for increased use of renewable energy in key tourist sites, especially those hosting sensitive heritage monuments.
The statement also encouraged cooperation between the ASEAN Energy Center and the Energy and Resources Institute of India (TERI) to promote the adoption of clean energy and carbon banking initiatives in the tourism sector.
“Adhere to rules and standards to reduce air, water and land pollution by changing consumption patterns of tourists and related industry; enforce prevailing regulations in relevant countries; promote the Travel for Life Protocol; adhere to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) protocols and apply the principles of reducing, reusing and recycling waste products to proactively promote the application of flexible and scalable practices.” To replicate renewable energy in tourist sites. enhancing carbon sequestration initiatives; Deploy renewable energy wherever possible; “We encourage the ASEAN Energy Center and the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of India to proactively promote the application of renewable energy at tourism sites hosting pollution-sensitive monuments,” the statement also said.
The statement is in line with the celebration of 2025 as the Year of Tourism between ASEAN and India, and affirms the shared vision of promoting sustainable development, protecting natural ecosystems, and enhancing cultural and economic cooperation between ASEAN and India.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his virtual address at the summit, highlighted that the 21st century is the century of India and ASEAN and reiterated that ASEAN is a key pillar of India’s East Policy.
He also declared 2026 as the “Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation”.
In his six-minute address to the summit, Prime Minister Modi also reiterated India’s support for ASEAN’s centrality and outlook on the Indo-Pacific region, and highlighted the continued growth of the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership amid global uncertainty. (that I)
