DHAKA, Sept 8, 2022 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin today said the government has approved a roadmap to phase out single-use plastic in coastal areas. 

"The government of Bangladesh has also finalised the Towards a Multisectoral Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management in Bangladesh," he told the National Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for the South Asia (PLEASE) Project held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel here.

Speaking as the chief guest, Shahab Uddin said 'The National Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management' has focused on circular use of plastic, based on a 3R strategy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. 

This will help create new value chains, skills, innovative products and green jobs while addressing social and environmental challenges, he said. 

The environment minister said the government has proactively responded to this challenge by formulating a number of legislations, rules, regulations and policies.

The 8th Five Year Plan has focused on improving solid waste management, he added. 

"We need a pollution-free healthy planet which is really important for the human health, environment and wellbeing of all people," Shahab Uddin said. 

"Microplastics are getting into our food chain, which are dangerous for human health," he added. 

He said addressing plastic pollution is an opportunity to innovate and create green jobs with a view to ensuring a green growth pathway for Bangladesh. 

"We must continue to take determined and bold initiatives to find a promising dimension to our sincere cooperation," the minister said. 

He said the 'Plastic-free Rivers and Seas for South Asia project' launched by the Parley for the Oceans, and the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) with the support from World Bank of about the US$ 50 million will support eco-innovations in the region. 

The spirit of mutual cooperation and friendship is needed to be nurtured, sustained and carried forward, he said.

Chaired by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, the workshop was addressed, among others, by Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar, Acting Country Director of World Bank to Bangladesh Dandan Chen, Director General of Department of Environment (DoE) Dr Abdul Hamid, Additional Secretary of the ministry Sanjoy Kumar Bhowmik and Director General of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) Dr Md Masumur Rahman.