The government of Bangladesh has launched the National Plastic Action Partnership with UNDP and the World Economic Forum's Global Plastic Action Partnership to strengthen action against plastic pollution and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
The initiative was launched at a hotel in Dhaka yesterday (13 October), bringing together government institutions, businesses, development partners, academia, civil society and waste-sector representatives, according to the press release.
Led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the partnership will coordinate policies, investments and practical solutions. UNDP Bangladesh will host its secretariat to support collaboration among stakeholders.
The launch comes as Bangladesh faces growing challenges from plastic pollution.
Citing a World Bank report published in 2024 using earlier national data, the release said Bangladesh generated nearly one million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with almost 70% dumped, littered or openly burned.
Such waste contributes to environmental pollution, flooding and public health risks.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo attended as the chief guest and called for collective action.
"Instead of producing, consuming and discarding materials, we must find ways to reduce unnecessary use, improve design, increase reuse, strengthen collection and recycling and keep valuable resources within the economy for longer," he said.
Shaikh Faridul Islam, state minister for environment, forest and climate change, said, "A circular economy is not simply about managing waste differently. It is about using our resources more responsibly, protecting our environment and creating a system in which everyone has a role and everyone can benefit."
Stephen Rodrigues, resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh, called for measurable progress.
"When we meet again in 2027, we should not simply be holding another conference on plastics. We should be able to show which measures have been introduced, how much unnecessary plastic use has been reduced, how much more plastic is being collected and recycled, and what difference this is making to our rivers, cities and communities," he said.
Clémence Schmid, director of the Global Plastic Action Partnership at the World Economic Forum, emphasised evidence-based collaboration.
"The opportunity now is to build on those strengths and translate them into more coordinated, evidence-based action," she said.
Dr Fahmida Khanom, acting secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, chaired the event. Sarder M Asaduzzaman, assistant resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh, also attended.
Sayed Monjurul Hoque, project manager of the National Plastic Action Partnership Bangladesh at UNDP, delivered the key presentation.
A high-level panel discussion examined how to overcome fragmented approaches and build a coordinated system for keeping plastics in use through recovery, reuse and recycling.
Bangladesh joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership network in 2025, becoming part of an initiative spanning 25 national partnerships.
The launch follows the introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility Guidelines for Plastic Waste Management, 2026, which establish responsibilities for manufacturers, importers and brand owners.
The partnership will initially develop a shared national evidence base and a National Plastics Action Roadmap to identify priorities, support policy implementation and mobilise investment.
It will also promote extended producer responsibility, improved collection and recycling systems, and greater participation of informal waste workers.
Through collective action, the partnership aims to improve resource efficiency, encourage innovation and advance a cleaner, more inclusive and sustainable circular economy.