Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo declared on Tuesday (October 13, 2026) that there is no alternative to integrated multi-stakeholder collaboration among government agencies, private enterprises, development partners, and waste workers to combat Bangladesh's severe plastic pollution crisis.
Speaking as chief guest at the official inauguration of the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Bangladesh at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, the Minister announced the platform's launch under the theme "Integrated Action Towards a Circular Economy." Jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, UNDP Bangladesh, and the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Plastic Action Partnership, NPAP aims to link isolated environmental initiatives, align private investments, and build a unified national evidence base. Minister Mintoo emphasized the urgent enforcement of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines, 2026, calling on research institutions, financial firms, and universities to generate reliable data and scale up circular economy funding.
Addressing the gathering, State Minister for Environment Sheikh Faridul Islam stated that the success of NPAP will be judged by tangible field reductions in plastic waste and improved conditions for waste workers rather than the frequency of meetings. UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller warned that plastic clogging urban drainage lines exacerbates waterlogging and marine pollution while open burning releases toxic microparticles. The launch event was chaired by Acting Secretary Dr. Fahmida Khanam, with video messages delivered by WEF GPAP Director Clémence Schmid alongside senior diplomats, civil society leaders, and private sector representatives.
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Reported by Staff Reporter • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
