Bangladesh has launched the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) to strengthen coordination among government agencies, businesses, development partners and civil society in tackling plastic pollution and accelerating the transition to a circular economy.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo inaugurated the initiative at a national conference in Dhaka on Tuesday, calling for stronger coordination and effective implementation of plastic waste management policies.
The partnership brings together the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Environment (DoE), UNDP Bangladesh and the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP).
Speaking as chief guest, Mintoo said plastic pollution threatens public health and ecosystems across cities, rivers, wetlands and coastal areas, while plastic production and consumption remain closely linked to trade, employment and economic activities.
“Today is an important moment as we move from recognizing the challenges of plastic pollution towards building stronger systems to address them,” he said.
Mintoo stressed that tackling plastic pollution requires action across the entire plastics value chain, from production and consumption to collection, reuse and recycling.
A circular economy could reduce unnecessary plastic use, extend the life of materials and keep valuable resources in circulation for longer, creating environmental, social and economic benefits, he said.
The minister highlighted the government's Guidelines for Plastic Waste Management 2026, which establish responsibilities for manufacturers, importers and brand owners in collecting and recycling plastic waste.
Under the guidelines, producers can fulfil their obligations individually or collectively through producer responsibility organisations.
Mintoo said effective enforcement would depend on reliable data, cooperation among stakeholders, adequate collection and recycling infrastructure, functioning markets, transparency and accountability.
“Policies achieve their purpose only when they can be implemented effectively,” he said, emphasizing the need for collaboration among producers, regulators, researchers and local authorities.
He said Bangladesh already had various institutions working on plastic waste management, adding that the NPAP would help coordinate existing initiatives, address information gaps and connect policy commitments with implementation and investment.
The minister urged businesses to develop innovative materials and industrial solutions, universities and research institutions to strengthen the evidence base, and development partners to align their support with national priorities.
He also called on financial institutions to explore investment opportunities in circular economy businesses and urged civil society organizations to ensure community voices were represented in decision-making.
Highlighting the contribution of waste collectors, sorters and recyclers, Mintoo said their practical experiences and livelihood concerns must be considered in shaping policies.
He added that the partnership's success should be assessed through measurable improvements in policy implementation, investment, recycling, practical solutions and working conditions in the waste sector, rather than the number of meetings held.
The conference, held under the theme “Unifying Action to Move to a Circular Economy”, brought together around 150 representatives from government agencies, businesses, development organisations, academia, research institutions, civil society and the waste management sector.
The partnership is intended to provide a coordinated framework for addressing gaps in plastic waste management and strengthening accountability across the plastics value chain.
By bringing public and private stakeholders together, the initiative aims to promote evidence-based policymaking, expand recycling opportunities and encourage investment in sustainable waste management.