LocationsWCEF2026 Accelerator Session: A Circular Blue Economy: Bangladesh as a South Asian Pioneer
August 9, 2026
Event Details
September 17, 2026
Gift City Club, Moneta Conference Hall, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
This is an accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026 will gather forward-looking thinkers and doers and present the gamechangers in the circular economy. The forum will be held from 15 to 18 September 2026 in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, India. WCEF2026 is organized jointly by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, together with global and local partners. Free of charge, open to all online.
As South Asian coastal economies face dual pressures from post-LDC graduation challenges and climate vulnerability, transitioning from linear marine extraction models to systemic circular blue economies is imperative. Bangladesh, possessing a strategically significant and resource-rich maritime area in the Bay of Bengal, is positioning itself as a regional pioneer in operationalizing a circular blue economy. This momentum is reinforced by the Government´s integration of the blue economy in its new trillion-dollar economy growth plan, including a dedicated Blue Economy Research Fund, and a target of raising fisheries export earnings to $1 billion by 2030.
Shifting away from isolated pilot interventions, UNDP Bangladesh’s Circular Economy Portfolio employs a system-wide model spanning five core domains: A Circular Policy Framework, Youth and Employment, Circular Value Chains, Green and Circular Cities, and a Blue Economy. In the blue economy, the key focus sectors include sustainable aquaculture, coastal resilience, ship breaking, transport, energy production, and marine bio valorization. However, circular value-addition can only succeed if built on a healthy and viable marine resource base. This requires parallel investments in fisheries management and ecosystem protection.
This session will showcase how Bangladesh’s can balance between its blue economy growth endeavors, with a zero waste and pollution scenario, focus on green and circular business models, and conservation of the marine and coastal areas. Through panel discussions and regional dialogue, participants will examine actionable strategies for greening export supply chains, advancing blended finance and blue carbon mechanisms, and enabling inclusive coastal livelihoods. Hosted in Gandhinagar, India, the session aims to bridge South Asian regional priorities with global circular technology providers, investors, and policymakers.
Objectives
- Showcase Bangladesh’s practical frameworks, policy tools, and investment pipelines for transitioning to a circular blue economy in South Asia.
- Explore circular solutions in key maritime sectors, including sustainable aquaculture, coastal waste reduction, eco-certified ship recycling, and marine bio-valorization.
- Discuss policy alignment, blended finance, blue carbon mechanisms, and market frameworks required to green export supply chains and create inclusive coastal livelihoods.
- Bridge South Asian regional priorities with global circular technology providers, investors, and international policy networks.
Target Audience of this Session
Government policy and planning officials, maritime and trade representatives, private sector leaders from ship recycling and export industries, DFIs, green/blue finance investors, circular technology providers, coastal community representatives, CSOs, and researchers interested in South Asian circular blue economy transitions.
Format
- Date and time: Thursday, 17 September 2026. From 14:00 – 15:30 IST / UTC+05:30
- Venue: Gift City Club, Moneta Conference Hall, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
- Format: Hybrid mode; online link will be provided to registered participants
- Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tyrjVDNjjYq0XEMtYzJ97CKqmHGgDyitmFfAzDfshkE/edit
Speakers & Panelists
- Jacob Fink Ferdinand
Green Growth Programme Specialist and Portfolio Lead, UNDP Bangladesh - Dr. Mohammad Mahmudul Islam
Professor, Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh - Priyank Tiwari
Senior Director, Government Affairs and Partnerships, Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) - Dr. Dipnarayan Ganguly
Scientist, National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India - Dr. SM Zobaidul Kabir
Joint Secretary (Delta Wing Chief and Blue Economy Wing Chief), General Economics Division, Planning Commission, Government of Bangladesh - Dr. S. Velvizhi
Programme Director, Fisheries and Livelihoods, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation - Nidhi Batra
Lead – Biodiversity Conservation and Blue Economy, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), India - Pratibha Sharma
Project Specialist, Circular Economy and Chemicals Management, UNDP India
Session Agenda & Program Flow
- 14:00–14:10 | Welcome and Introductory Presentation of UNDP Bangladesh
“Blue Economy as a Leverage Point within Circular Economy Portfolio in Bangladesh”
A high-level technical presentation outlining Bangladesh’s Circular Economy Portfolio, marine waste-to-value pipelines, and regional investment opportunities.
Speaker: Jacob Fink Ferdinand - Green Growth Programme Specialist and Portfolio Lead, UNDP Bangladesh - 14:10–14:20 | Bangladesh Setting and Framing Presentation
“Unlocking Bangladesh's Circular Blue Economy: Mapping the Path Forward”
The presentation will explore the policy and economic context of the circular-blue economy convergence, provide a broad systemic mapping of circular opportunities, highlight governance and structural gaps, and share emerging priorities and the way forward based on initial diagnostic findings.
Speaker: Dr. Mohammad Mahmudul Islam - Professor, Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh - 14:20–14:30 | Setting the Scene
Opening remarks establishing the strategic rationale for South Asia’s circular blue economy transition, followed by an introduction to the speakers and the session flow. - 14:30–15:25 | Panel Discussion with Audience Interactive Exchange
“Towards a Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Development of Marine and Coastal Natural Resources”
A high-level panel discussion exploring key dimensions of circular blue economy development, including Policy and Governance, Planning and Management, Industry Transformation and Business Models, Inclusive Livelihoods, and Circular Finance, followed by an interactive exchange with the audience.
Moderator: Priyank Tiwari - Senior Director, Government Affairs and Partnerships, Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) - Panelists:
Dr. Dipnarayan Ganguly - Scientist, National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India
Dr. SM Zobaidul Kabir - Joint Secretary (Delta Wing Chief and Blue Economy Wing Chief), General Economics Division, Planning Commission, Government of Bangladesh
Dr. S. Velvizhi - Programme Director, Fisheries and Livelihoods, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
Nidhi Batra - Lead – Biodiversity Conservation and Blue Economy, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), India - 15:25–15:30 | Vote of Thanks and Closing Remarks
Closing reflections summarizing the key discussions and linking the session outcomes with the broader WCEF synthesis.
Speaker: Pratibha Sharma - Project Specialist, Circular Economy and Chemicals Management, UNDP India
