Plastic waste has been identified as a potential destructor of our habitat (such as corals or sea grasses), physical chocking of marine life and also accumulation of micro plastics. Already, some 8 million tonnes of plastics enter our ocean every year, through different routes like global rivers adding to the estimated 150 million tonnes already circulating in marine environments.

United Nation’s Environment Programme (UNEP) is organizing a series of online dialogue with the above background. This dialogue is the third in a series to be organized under UNEP’s COVID-19 response, “Working with the environment to protect people”. This online dialogue is focused on Asia and the Pacific region to raise awareness on the importance of the “Sustainable Lifestyle” vis a vis challenges due to the increased volumes of plastics and packaging waste during the pandemic (COVID-19).

Agenda:

14:00 Opening statement - Dechen Tsering, Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific, UN Environment Programme

14:05 Introduction to the Dialogue and UNEP support for sustainable lifestyles - Mushtaq Memon, COVID-19 Waste Management / Regional Coordinator for Resource Efficiency, UNEP Asia Pacific Office

14:20 Combating plastic pollution: China's action and experience - Dr Quanyin Tan, Tsinghua University

14:30 Raising Awareness on Plastics and Packaging Waste - Prof Sadao Harada, Osaka University of Commerce

14:40 Showcases & experiences from UNEP Asia Pacific Goodwill Ambassadors - (Moderated by Tunnie Srisakulchairak, Programme Officer, UNEP Asia Pacific Office: Ms Antoinette Taus, UNEP National Goodwill Ambassador for Philippines and Mr Alex Rendell, UNEP National Goodwill Ambassador for Thailand

15:10 Q & A

15:25 Closing remarks - Isabelle Louis, Deputy Director, UNEP Asia Pacific Office