7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC)

The Circulate Initiative and the World Bank Group jointly hosted a panel discussion, titled “Plastics Circularity in the ASEAN Region: Exploring Investment to Scale Innovation,” at the 7IMDC. Moderated by The Circulate Initiative’s Director of Impact and Insights, Ellen Martin,, participating speakers explored the challenges and opportunities involved in investment and policy to support the region’s plastic innovation ecosystem.

The Circulate Initiative’s Research Director, Umesh Madhavan, also presented at a session hosted by Resilient Cities Network and Ocean Conservancy, spotlighting the Urban Ocean program. The session featured presentations by the Semarang City Council and Alcaldía de Panamá – both part of Urban Ocean’s first cohort of partner cities – as well as insightful perspectives on the powerful role cities have to play in creating a plastic-free ocean.