Islamabad, the 21st of April, 2025 — With the assistance of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has initiated the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Roadmap with the purpose of expediting the fight against plastic pollution and advancing the transition toward a circular economy. The Roadmap, which was developed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), outlines a national strategy to reduce plastic pollution by advancing solutions that are sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based. These solutions prioritize both the protection of the environment and the needs of communities that are vulnerable. In light of the fact that the usage of plastic is growing at a rate of fifteen percent per year, primarily due to the proliferation of single-use products, and that plastic accounts for approximately forty percent of the solid trash in the Indus River, the nation is confronted with significant environmental and public health issues. When Mr. Zulfiqar Younas, Additional Secretary at MOCC&EC, was speaking at the launch, he mentioned that the National Policy Action Plan (NPAP) provides a structure that is desperately required for connecting existing policies with solutions that can be implemented. The Roadmap is not merely a game plan; rather, it is a rallying cry for action. To improve the way that we handle plastic trash in Pakistan, the National Plastics Action Plan (NPAP) provides a systematic starting point. Despite the fact that the problem is urgent, it helps us harmonize our existing policies and establishes the path for better informed and practical action moving forward. This is a step in the right direction, but it will take some time to accomplish them. The Global Plastic Action Partnership was initially joined by Pakistan, which was the first country in South Asia to do so. This commitment has reached a significant milestone with the presentation of the NPAP Roadmap, which outlines real ways to enhance waste collection systems, extend circular plastic alternatives, and promote public awareness. Initiatives such as the establishment of a Plastic Circularity Network, the provision of assistance to micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, the enhancement of waste collection and recycling systems, and the implementation of public education campaigns and financial incentives are the most important initiatives. In the video message that he delivered, Dr. Samuel Rizk, who is the UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan, stressed the significance of initiatives that are centered on people. “In order to have an effect that is long-lasting, we must put people at the center.” While it is true that technology and infrastructure are necessary, it is also necessary to incorporate social inclusion and behavior modification into the equation. We will be able to achieve a green transition that is both inclusive and equitable if we collaborate with young people, women entrepreneurs, and local communities through the use of this Roadmap. Representatives from the government, the commercial sector, civil society, academic institutions, international organizations, and United Nations agencies were present at the inaugural event. During a panel discussion, representatives from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, the World Wildlife Fund, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) discussed the challenges and solutions associated with plastic waste. They advocated for increased collaboration and more integrated systems. In her video message, Ms. Clemend Schmid, Director of the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), expressed her appreciation for Pakistan’s leadership and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to continuing to assist the execution of the Roadmap. There is more to today’s event than just a launch. It is a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to a future for Pakistan that is cleaner, more sustainable, and more inclusive. The NPAP Roadmap strengthens Pakistan’s commitment to environmental sustainability and paves the way for long-term systemic change. It does this by building on the ongoing work that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is doing in climate resilience, waste management, and green economy initiatives. This work includes providing support to recovery efforts following the 2022 floods.