High Level Multi-stakeholder Policy Dialogue to End Plastic Pollution and Deliver Actions for Harmony with Nature

Platform – Virtual (ZOOM)

Webinar ID: 811 9287 3855
Passcode: 801477

To join the webinar: CLICK HERE

Introduction

Plastics are everywhere now even in the deepest part of the oceans. At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, and plastic makes up 80% of all marine debris found from surface waters to deep-sea sediments (UNEP, 2024). The result is an estimated $13 billion in annual environmental damage to marine ecosystems. Plastic pollution affects marine life through various pathways, including ingestion, entanglement, toxic impacts, and more. In a 2016 report, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognized that marine debris is a globally significant stressor on the marine and coastal environment, as studies show that almost 800 marine species are affected by plastic pollution.

Given the persistent nature of plastic and its toxicity, plastic pollution is a significant threat to biodiversity. It threatens ecosystems, animal and plant species, impeding their ability to deliver essential services to humanity. While the leakage of plastics into the ocean and the subsequent impacts of marine life has been most studied, plastic pollution also affect freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Indeed, plastic and chemical leakage into the environment may arise at various stage of the plastics life cycle, and the resulting pollutants are transported around the globe through air and oceans streams. Environmental degradation occurs in the upstream, as extraction, fracking, production of plastics and chemical additives release substantial amounts of toxic substances into the air and contaminate the local environment. Disposal is also problematic: incineration of plastic waste releases toxic chemicals and micro- and nano-plastics into the air, while landfills contaminate soil and water. All these elements then impact biodiversity both locally and globally.

Objective:

The policy dialogue will present an overarching understanding of the linkages through insights from experts on the conceptual framework, research and insights from policies by bringing together stakeholders from international and multilateral organizations, research institutions, and policy-think tanks, with the common agenda to address the grim challenge of plastic pollution. It will highlight and examine how plastic pollution disrupts ecosystems, endangers wildlife, and contributes to biodiversity decline across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. We will align the discussions with global frameworks such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Global Plastics Treaty, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to reinforce commitments toward biodiversity conservation and pollution reduction.

CHAIR ADDRESS
Sh. Dr. Raj Bhushan Chaudhary
Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary is an Indian doctor-turned-politician and the Minister of State for Jal Shakti in the Narendra Modi government. He holds MBBS and MD degrees and began his political career in 2019 with the Vikassheel Insaan Party before joining the BJP in 2022. Dr. Choudhary is known for his dynamic leadership and commitment to public service. In 2024, he was elected as a Member of Parliament from Muzaffarpur with a record margin of over 234,000 votes. Associated with organizations like RSS and Nishad Vikas Sangh, he has also served as the Bihar Unit President of the National Association of Fishermen.

Eminent Speaker

Dr. Arvind Kumar	Ms. Astrid Schomaker
Dr. Arvind Kumar is a strategist and key-influencer in development sector with more than 30+ years of experience as an author, columnist, Water and Human Rights Pro-activist, and specializes in concepts like ecosystem-based adaptation, water-energy-food nexus, with specific emphasis on Transversal approach of inter-linkages between water, environment and SDGs. He has published over 500 plus research articles and several books. He is a proud recipient of Achievers Award for his contribution to the Environment from International Human Rights Organization in collaboration with United Nations Information Centre, India.	Ms. Astrid Schomaker is the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), appointed in April 2024 at the level of United Nations Assistant Secretary-General. Prior to this role, she served as Director for Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism at the European Commission, where she advanced global efforts towards circular, low-emission, nature-positive economies and strengthened international environmental governance. With a career in the European Commission since 1992, she has held senior roles across environment and external relations, including Director for Global Sustainable Development and Director of Strategy. Astrid holds an LLM in international legal cooperation and is fluent in English, French, and German.
Dr. Satya S. Tripathi	Dr. Ritesh Kumar
Dr. Satya S. Tripathi is Secretary-General of the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet. A development economist, lawyer and changemaker with over 40 years of varied experience, Mr. Tripathi is also the Chancellor of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences – and Senior Distinguished Fellow on Innovative Finance at the World Agroforestry Centre. He has served with the UN for more than two decades in key positions and was most recently the UN Assistant Secretary-General, Head of New York Office at UN Environment and Secretary of the UN Environment Management Group.	Dr. Ritesh Kumar is Director of Wetlands International South Asia and a specialist in integrated wetland management with over 25 years of experience. He has led major projects on wetland assessment, ecosystem services, climate adaptation, and water management across South Asia. He works closely with India’s Ministry of Environment on wetland policy and planning. Dr. Kumar serves as a coordinating lead author for UNEP’s Global Peatlands Initiative and IPBES assessments, and has published extensively on wetlands conservation. He is also on the editorial boards of Marine and Freshwater Research, Wetland Ecology and Management, and PLOS Water.
Ms. Kerry Allbeury	Dr. Alok Sikka
Ms. Kerry Allbeury is a Senior Policy Advisor at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) Secretariat within the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). She brings extensive experience in international policy and law, having worked in senior advisory roles in multilateral organizations. Ms. Allbeury holds an advanced degree from the Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement (IHEID), reflecting a strong academic background in international affairs. As part of the UNEP INC Secretariat, she plays a key role in supporting policy formulation and negotiation processes aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges on the international stage.	Dr. Alok Sikka is the Country Representative for India and Bangladesh at the International Water Management Institute. Previously, he served as Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management) at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and as Technical Expert (Watershed Development) with the National Rainfed Area Authority, Planning Commission, Government of India. Dr. Sikka has also been Director of the ICAR Research Complex for the Eastern Region, Patna, and Basin Coordinator for the Indo-Gangetic Basin under the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food.
Ms. Sara Manuelli	Dr. Karine Siegwart
Ms. Sara Manuelli is a Communications and Advocacy Officer with a background in social anthropology and journalism. She is the author of several books and articles published in technical journals and the media, focusing on sustainable mountain development. Since 2008, she has worked at the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, where she develops and implements strategies to raise awareness about mountain regions and their communities.	Dr. Karine Siegwart is Senior Policy Advisor at the Centre for Policy and Law, IUCN. She is an expert in environmental law and policy, with a doctorate in law and extensive experience in international negotiations and biodiversity governance. Dr. Siegwart previously served as Vice-Director at the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and is a lecturer at ETH Zürich. She leads IUCN’s policy engagement on global environmental issues, including plastics and biodiversity.
Mr. Nelapatla Ashok Babu	Dr. Malti Goel
Mr. Nelapatla Ashok Babu, IRS serves as Director at the National Water Mission (NWM) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. An accomplished civil servant, he is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer with a background in public administration and water resource management. In his current role, Mr. Ashok Babu is responsible for the planning and implementation of national initiatives focused on water conservation, efficient water use, and river rejuvenation. He has played a pivotal role in campaigns such as “Catch the Rain,” working closely with district administrations and stakeholders to promote water sustainability and integrated water resource management	Dr. (Mrs.) Malti Goel is a leading climate change expert and former Adviser, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. With a Ph.D. in Solid State Physics from IIT Delhi and top academic honors from BITS Pilani, she has led major initiatives in energy, environment, and technology policy. Founder of the Climate Change Research Society, she has represented India internationally, including as Vice Chairperson of the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum. Currently CSIR Emeritus Scientist and Research Affiliate at JNU, she has received several national honors and authored numerous scientific publications.
Dr. Bholu Ram Yadav	Ms. Shweta Tyagi
Dr. Bholu Ram Yadav, is a Senior Scientist, Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). He holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering from IIT Bombay. His expertise lies in Municipal Solid Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Management, Plastic Waste Management, Sewage Sludge Management, and Wastewater Treatment. He is currently involved in research activities at NEERI, particularly in solid and hazardous waste management.	Ms. Shweta Tyagi is Chief Functionary, India Water Foundation. She is results-focused development sector professional with a 23 years of demonstrated history and a proven ability to manage project teams to deliver multiple projects and programmes across diverse sectors of sustainable Development, Water and Sanitation, Social Development, Livelihood Generation, climate change etc. Excellent knowledge of project management and strategic planning of partnership creation and coordination, as well as advising decision-makers and strengthening capacities. Experience of Natural Resource management among rural communities for implementing.