The centenary event, “Tangled Climate: The Hidden Cost of Pollution Caused by Discarded Fishing Gear and Other Plastic-Based Marine Litter in South Asia”, held at the Sri Lanka Pavilion in Expo Ci, Dubai, on December 8, 2023, delves into the critical issue of plastic pollution in the marine environment. Against the backdrop of approximately 11 million metric tons of plastic waste entering the ocean annually, with marine resources contributing to 20% of this pollution, the session focused on the significant role of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), commonly known as ‘ghost gear’; Studies revealing the persistent threat of certain fishing gear lasting up to 600 years underscored the urgency in addressing this environmental challenge. The welcome speech was delivered by Ms. Rokeya Khaton, Director General of the South Asian Corporative Environment Programme (SACEP), while the session was moderated by Simonetta Siligato, Senior Advisor at UNOPSAsia Region. The panelists, Mrs.Anjalie Deveraja, Project Director of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme; Mr. Sanjaykumar Bhowrmik, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change,Bangladesh; Dr . Saima Shafiq, Ministry of Climate Change, Pakistan; and Mr. Ali Shareef, Special Envoy for Climate Change, Maldives, marked the session with their perceptive discussions.
