Circular economy workshop with journalists from East and West Africa ongoing in Nairobi, including talented journalists from Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia and Tanzania. #SMEP #ALN

A packed KEPSA KENYA circular economy conference ongoing today in Nairobi. Happy to see 3 #SMEPprogramme grantees TakaTaka Solutions , #Mananasi fibres and Victory Farms Ltd presenting their solutions. More info: smepprogramme.org/intervention-a…

Henrique Pacini from UN Trade and Development presents on the plastic substitutes opportunities - life cycle analysis is critical. #SMEP supports a number of projects developing substitutes like GAIA BioMaterials AB alternatives materials for fish nets.

Over 150 countries negotiating today a set of global rules against #plasticpollution at #inc3 in Nairobi. For an overview of the measures being considered, see: unctad.org/system/files/n… #unctad

📣We were pleased that King Charles III got to see the great work of The Flipflopi during the recent #RoyalVisit to #Kenya 🇰🇪 The project is supported by FCDO Research, Science and Technology through the SMEP programme UK in Kenya 🇬🇧🇰🇪 ➡️theflipflopi.com/blog/2023/11/5…

A great session by World Bank to learn from other regions on Working Regionally to Tackle Plastic Pollution" while also having the opportunity to contribute on our own regional efforts for harmonizing legislation on single use plastics led by ALN

Had the pleasure to meet UK high commissioner Dr Andrew Fleming 🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 today. We briefly discussed SMEP Programme activities in #SouthAsia and our efforts against plastic pollution during visit to circular economy training facilities of Centurion University with partners from Curtin University .

Earlier today, Neil Wigan saw The Flipflopi that produces artisanal products made from recycled plastic. They're combining indigenous knowledge with modern innovation by constructing traditional sailing & motorised vessels & artisanal furniture from plastic waste. #UNEA6

That’s rubbish: How our waste is choking the planet & how we can clean it up. The #WeeklyTradecast talks trash with UN Trade and Development's Henrique Pacini (Henrique Pacini). Tune in to find out what we must do to reduce our rubbish & why we must do it quickly. ow.ly/w80650R47jZ #ZeroWasteDay

The informal recycling of lead-acid batteries used in e-mobility in Bangladesh is bad for people and environment. Today in Dhaka, partners Pure Earth, and Georgetown Uni are working with local manufacturers, banks and recyclers to reduce pollution with business innovation. #SMEP

Prof. Atiq Zaman in #Dhaka discussing alignment across trade-health-environment-planning policies as a way to reduce informal recycling of used lead-acid batteries in Bangladesh and formalize the market. More info: unctad.org/meeting/worksh… UN Trade and Development FCDO Research, Science and Technology Curtin University

Import tariffs for lead batteries and scrap into Bangladesh range from 30-80%, disconnected from international prices. While the world trades at $1.83/kg, in Bangladesh unrefined lead sells for $3.2/kg - the result? Widespread informal recycling, bad for env and health.

#SMEP workshop with battery industry hosted by Pure Earth Bangladesh & UN Trade and Development dug deeper into the lead poisoning from electric vehicle issue and sought for solutions. 🛺🛺🛺 3 to 4 million Electric three-wheelers - EZ bikes, mishuks, and e-rickshaws in 🇧🇩 serving 112 million people

In April, Pure Earth Bangladesh and UN Trade and Development united stakeholders from battery companies, government agencies, NGOs, donors, financial institutions, and academia in #SMEP project workshops focused on tackling lead pollution. Discussions centered on high-quality battery technologies,

UN Environment Programme @WCEF2024 Ellen MacArthur Foundation International Resource Panel (IRP) UN Green Economy Circular Innovation Lab Global Environment Facility (GEF) Tapi The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Kei Ohno UN Trade and Development Henrique Pacini Eva Benavidez Clayton of Better Cotton highlights that the material input design stage in the fashion value chain is crucial in tackling chemicals issues. She underscores that we can't expect smallholders farmers to make big changes -- ie, stop use of harmful pesticides -- support.

Flipflopi team Ali Skanda and Katharina Elleke spent the day at Northumbria Uni , our long standing partners led by Simon Scott-Harnden presenting and engaging with students on successes and challenges of building traditional boat with recycled plastic. How big can we build?

Seaweed has a lot to contribute to economies, food security & more, with the value of its sector still not fully recognized. UN Trade and Development highlights how this versatile marine macroalgae is crucial in achieving the #GlobalGoals. unctad.org/publication/oc…

I keep having trouble in #Sharepoint when giving editor rights for external users to edit / collaborate in word documents. External partners using non-office 365 emails often do not get access to files even if I grant it multiple times. Is it only me noticing this?

Today, I participated as the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources Committee Chair, together with some Members of the Committee, in the Africa Waste is Wealth Summit preparatory meeting at ALN House Nairobi Kenya. The Summit is scheduled for 8th and 9th October 2024 🙏🏽

UNCTAD_CCPB presents a review of parameters for effective consumer label on plastics. 84% of consumers prioritize sustainability. Yet, only 19% find plastic labels helpful. Standardization and transparency empower consumer choices and enhance global trade.