National Plastic Action Partnership Launched to Accelerate Circular Economy

Government, UNDP and global partners join forces to tackle plastic pollution, strengthen recycling systems and advance a circular economy in Bangladesh.

October 13, 2026

Group of formally dressed people posing on a stage with banners and a large screen behind them. — Government officials, UNDP representatives and partners at the launch of NPAP Bangladesh on 13 October 2026 in Dhaka to advance a circular economy.

©UNDP Bangladesh

The Government of Bangladesh, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), officially launched the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Bangladesh today at a hotel in Dhaka, to strengthen coordinated action against plastic pollution and accelerate the transition towards a circular economy.

Led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), NPAP Bangladesh brings together government institutions, businesses, development partners, academia, civil society and waste-sector actors to align policies, investments and practical solutions. UNDP Bangladesh will host the NPAP Secretariat, supporting coordination and collaboration among stakeholders.

The launch comes as Bangladesh faces growing challenges from plastic pollution. A World Bank report published in 2024, drawing on earlier national data, estimated nearly one million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with almost 70 percent dumped, littered or openly burned, contributing to environmental pollution, flooding and public health risks.

Photograph of a man in a suit delivering a speech at a podium on a stage with a blue-lit backdrop. — Abdul Awal Mintoo, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, speaks at the launch of NPAP Bangladesh in Dhaka on 13 October 2026.

©UNDP Bangladesh

Addressing the launch, the chief guest, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, 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”.

Shaikh Faridul Islam, State Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated “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 Rodriques, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, added “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.”

Clémence Schmid, Director of GPAP at the World Economic Forum, stressed the importance of evidence-based collaboration. “The opportunity now is to build on those strengths and translate them into more coordinated, evidence-based action.”

Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Acting Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change joined the event as chair along with Sarder M. Asaduzzaman, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh. The key presentation was shared by Sayed Monjurul Hoque Project Manager, NPAP Bangladesh, UNDP Bangladesh. A high-level panel discussion focused on breaking silos and building a plastic circularity ecosystem.

Bangladesh joined the GPAP network in 2025, becoming part of a global initiative spanning 25 national partnerships. The launch comes at a significant policy moment, following 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 focus on establishing a shared national evidence base and developing a National Plastics Action Roadmap to identify priorities, support policy implementation and mobilise investment. It will also encourage Extended Producer Responsibility, improved collection and recycling systems, and greater participation of informal waste workers.

Through collective action, NPAP Bangladesh aims to strengthen resource efficiency, encourage innovation and advance a cleaner, more inclusive and sustainable circular economy.