South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme

The Honorable Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Abdul Awal Mintoo, met today at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka with Norbu Wangchuk, Director General of the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP).

During the meeting, discussions focused on: Preventing air and water pollution in member countries, Reducing plastic pollution,
Addressing climate change, Improving waste management, Conserving biodiversity.

Emphasis was placed on strengthening cooperation among member countries on these issues.

The Minister expressed interest in expanding collaboration with SACEP on various environmental protection matters in Bangladesh. He further noted that the government has undertaken several initiatives to address: Air pollution, Water pollution, Noise pollution, Marine pollution, Climate Change

Regarding the tree plantation programme, the Minister stated that under government initiatives: 50 million trees will be planted annually, totalling 250 million trees over five years. He added that efforts are being carried out diligently to fulfil this election commitment.

The Director General of SACEP reaffirmed the commitment of member countries to work together, in line with various international conventions, to address environmental protection and climate change challenges.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and representatives from the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme were present at the meeting.

Last week, SACEP under the PLEASE project convened over 40 key stakeholders in Thimphu for a National Consultation on Riverine Litter - a session that laid bare a critical reality for Bhutan.

While Bhutan remains a landlocked nation, its rivers act as "highways" for plastic waste, ultimately impacting the Brahmaputra and Ganges basins and the global oceans beyond.

The consultation focused on key strategic areas including institutional alignment to strengthen the coordination and collaboration between private and public sectors, moving beyond infrastructure to address behavioral lapses that lead to improper segregation and disposal, and utilizing the updated National Waste Inventory to guide evidence-based mitigation under the PLEASE Project.

SACEP is grateful for the Department of Environment and Climate Change of the Royal Government of Bhutan for their cooperation in turning these dialogues into actionable pathways.

The SACEP team met with the Director of the Department of Environment and Climate Change in Bhutan, as part of our mission in Thimphu this week.

We were able to discuss the ongoing consultations on riverine litter actions in Bhutan, SACEP’s experience with Single-Use-Plastic bans and limitations in other member states of SACEP and how SACEP can support member states with transboundary knowledge sharing.

We are grateful for the DECC’s support in conducting the national and community level consultations on riverine litter actions in Bhutan under the PLEASE project.

The community-level consultation on riverine litter action in Bhutan was held yesterday at the Ariya Hotel in Thimphu, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders. Participants included the Thimphu District Chief Environment Officer, representatives from local waste management companies, international development agencies, leaders from educational institutions, and youth activist groups.

The collaboration between youth leaders and local government officials proved highly productive. By sharing observations and challenges from their respective perspectives, participants were able to collectively identify practical solutions aimed at promoting a cleaner, greener Bhutan.

As the world’s only carbon-negative country, Bhutan faces distinct riverine litter challenges. With limited tourism activity, infrastructure facites, and its landlocked position between India and China, addressing riverine pollution requires context-specific approaches that reflect the country’s unique environmental, geographic, and socio-economic conditions.

SACEP extends its warmest wishes to the people of Sri Lanka on their 78th Independence Day! As one of our founding members and host nation, Sri Lanka plays an integral part of SACEP’s journey.

This week, SACEP Director General Mr Norbu Wangchuk met with Mr Dammika Patabendi, honorable Minister of Environment of Sri Lanka, and Mr Anton Jayakody, honorable deputy Minister of Environment to discuss the critical environmental challenges facing South Asia’s coastal cities, including climate vulnerability, biodiversity loss, and growing environmental pollution.

The discussion underscored the importance of maintaining strong and constructive engagement with Ministries of Environment across the region to strengthen regional collaboration through SACEP. Such collaboration is essential to align national priorities, foster regional cooperation, and advance coordinated responses to shared coastal and environmental challenges. Through continued dialogue and partnership, SACEP remains committed to supporting collective action that strengthens resilience and environmental governance across South Asia.

Environment Minister and SACEP Director discuss regional initiative aimed at urban environmental resilience - DailyNews The Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi, and Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody met today with Norbu Wangchuk, Director General of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), to discuss a…

SACEP extends warm wishes to the people of India on India’s Republic Day and reaffirms our commitment to working together to address shared environmental challenges, from marine pollution and biodiversity loss to climate resilience.

Here's to advancing collective action for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable South Asia.

The Director General of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) recently expressed sincere appreciation to the Government of the Punjab for its strong leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability. Special recognition was extended to the Chief Minister of Punjab and the Senior Minister of Punjab for their vision and dedication in advancing environmental governance within the province.

The DG also conveyed gratitude to Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh (PAS), Director General, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab, Pakistan, for the warm hospitality and for hosting a memorable visit to the historic Khewra Salt Mine—an experience that highlighted both Punjab’s natural heritage and its evolving environmental stewardship.

During the visit, it was encouraging to learn about the significant progress being made by Punjab Province in addressing environmental challenges. Despite constraints and complex obstacles, the province has achieved noteworthy successes. These accomplishments demonstrate that with well-intentioned, committed leadership, it is possible to deliver meaningful and lasting environmental impact.

The environmental initiatives currently being implemented in Punjab are not only strengthening governance within the province but also generating positive effects that extend beyond its borders. Such progress lays a strong foundation for enhanced regional cooperation and shared learning across South Asia.

SACEP looks forward to deepening its collaboration with EPA Punjab and the Government of the Punjab, working together toward a cleaner, more resilient, and more sustainable South Asia.

New year dawns at the SACEP Headquarters in Colombo!

As we begin our work for the new year, we renew our commitment to fostering regional cooperation and protecting the beautiful environment of South Asia.

Wishing all our member nations and partners a sustainable and prosperous 2026!

Strengthening South Asia’s environmental future starts with strong partnerships 🤝

The newly signed MoU between UNOPS Sri Lanka and SACEP brings together regional expertise and global technical capacity to accelerate action on sustainable infrastructure, integrated waste management, and climate resilience. Looking forward to the impactful initiatives that will follow.

The South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) successfully convened a National Consultation on Marine Litter today in Malé, Maldives, bringing together key national stakeholders to advance collective action against marine plastic pollution.

The consultation served as a crucial platform for dialogue among government agencies, environmental organizations, waste management institutions, academia, and community representatives. Participants explored ways to strengthen the Maldives’ response to marine litter through improved policy, coordination, and sustainable practices.

This national consultation builds on outcomes from the community-level consultation held on 15 November in Kulhudhuffushi , where local leaders, youth, fishermen, and women’s groups shared their lived experiences of plastic pollution. Insights from Kulhudhuffushi helped shape today’s discussions, ensuring that grassroots realities and concerns are reflected in national-level decision-making.

During the consultation, stakeholders underscored the urgent need to:

- Scale up circular economy approaches and reduce reliance on single-use plastics
- Strengthen waste management infrastructure and systems
- Improve enforcement of existing regulations
- Enhance inter-agency coordination and data sharing

Participants also reflected on ongoing PLEASE Project initiatives in the Maldives and identified areas where SACEP’s regional knowledge sharing and technical coordinationcan further support national priorities and implementation efforts.

SACEP remains committed to working with the Government of the Maldives and regional partners to enable sustainable, collaborative, and community-responsive solutions to marine litter across South Asia.