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The country's marine ecosystem gets over 87,000 tonnes of plastic waste a year stressing urgent need for finding a new sustainable waste management approach to protect its valuable natural resources.
Speakers at a seminar on plastic pollution on Thursday laid the importance along with ensuring coordinated efforts of all concerned for sustaining the country's reputation as pioneer in combating plastic pollution.
The Department of Environment (DoE) of Bangladesh, in partnership with UNOPS and BIMSTEC, organised the high-level seminar titled "Accelerating solutions for plastic pollution in Bangladesh" marking the World Environment Day.
Industries Secretary Md Obaidur Rahman, BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey and Country Manager of UNOPS for Bangladesh and Bhutan Sudhir Muralidharan addressed the seminar.
DOE Director General Dr Md Kamruzzaman chaired the seminar that brought together policy-makers, innovators and youth to discuss various scopes to accelerate the process of sustainable plastic management.
The speakers reiterated the country's pledge to reduce plastic waste by 30 per cent , recycle plastics by 50 per cent, and eliminate 90 per cent single-use plastics by 2026 following the National Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management (2020-2030).
The Secretary General of BIMSTEC termed the plastic pollution a global and regional threat and assured BIMSTEC's cooperation to achieve a plastic-smart Bay of Bengal region.
As plastic pollution continues to threaten ecosystem, economy and public health, Bangladesh's leadership -- coupled with regional synergy through UN & BIMSTEC -- signals a new era of coordinated, future-focused environmental governance.
The UNOPS country manager said plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue -- it is an infrastructure and behavioural challenge that demands bold and collective action.
The industries secretary laid importance on sustainable industrial development and said all steps must be taken aligning environmental responsibility.
The DG said the DoE has been working to implement the plastic action plan through innovation, accountability and inclusive collaboration across sectors and borders.
smunima@yahoo.com