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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:unctad.org
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:6a738fb34f91e
DTSTART:20250305T140000Z
SEQUENCE:0
TRANSP:OPAQUE
DTEND:20250305T153000Z
LOCATION:Geneva\, Switzerland
SUMMARY:5th UN Ocean Forum side event: From land to sea - Scaling innovatio
 ns to tackle marine pollution
CLASS:PUBLIC
DESCRIPTION:Marine pollution is a critical threat to ocean health\, with 80
 % originating from land-based activities\, of which 85% is plastic waste (
 UNEP\, 2021). This pollution endangers ecosystems\, biodiversity\, and liv
 elihoods\, turning the ocean into a &quot\;bottomless trash bin.&quot\;202
 5 marks the deadline for SDG 14.1\, which aims to significantly reduce mar
 ine pollution\, especially from land-based sources. While innovative solut
 ions have made progress\, plastic trade continues to rise. UNCTAD statisti
 cs on global exports of plastics and plastic-based goods show this trade m
 ore than doubled in value since 2005\, reaching $1.2 trillion in 2022. How
 ever\, non-plastic substitutes are expanding rapidly\, with global exports
  reaching $831 billion in 2022\, growing 30% faster than plastics (UNCTAD\
 , 2022).Entrepreneurs play a key role in driving scalable solutions to the
  pollution crisis\, from sustainable materials and biodegradable technolog
 ies to circular plastic systems and alternative food sources. By leveragin
 g trade\, these innovations can create a global impact.This session brings
  together beneficiaries and partners of the UK-UNCTAD Sustainable Manufact
 uring and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Programme\, and will highlight re
 al-world solutions addressing marine pollution at its source\, featuring b
 iodegradable materials\, cultural upcycling in coastal communities\, novel
  seaweed-based foods\, and circular natural fibres from agricultural waste
  to reduce reliance on synthetic textiles\, a major source of ocean pollut
 ion.ObjectivesContribute to discussions at the UN Ocean Conference 2025 (N
 ice\, June 2025) by highlighting scalable\, market-driven solutions.Connec
 t policymakers\, trade experts\, businesses\, and innovators to explore st
 rategies for integrating sustainability into global trade.Showcase success
 ful SMEP-supported initiatives that align innovation with policy and inves
 tment\, advancing SDGs 12 and 14.ProgrammeModerator: Mr. Henrique Pacini\,
  SMEP Programme Lead\, UNCTAD3:00 - 3:10 p.m. Opening Remarks by Chantal L
 ine Carpentier\, Head\, Trade and Environment\, UNCTADSpeakers:Mr. James B
 oyd-Moss\, Mananasi Fibre (Kenya): Scaling banana &amp\; pineapple fibres 
 for sustainable textilesMr. Dipesh Pabari\, The FlipFlopi Project (Kenya):
  Community-engaging &amp\; creative circular economy models for plastic wa
 steMs. Emma Algotsson\, Catchgreen (South Africa): Biodegradable solutions
  for fishing gear and seaweed farmingMs. Julia Reisser\, Uluu (Australia):
  Seaweed-based compostable plastics (PHA)Ms. Alejandra Allendes\, Quelp (C
 hile): Seaweed-based food systems for sustainable nutritionMr. Alejandro R
 ivera Rojas\, UNIDO: Strengthening local industries for a sustainable ocea
 n economy4:00 - 4:30 p.m.  Moderated Q&amp\;A https://smepprogramme.org\
 n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/meeting/5th-un-ocean-for
 um-side-event-land-sea-scaling-innovations-tackle-marine-pollution
DTSTAMP:20260805T193203Z
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