Unlocking Plastic Action for Inclusion Resilience and Growth GPAP Annual Report 2025

Asia produces 110–120 million tonnes of plastic waste annually – nearly 45 % of the global total – making it a crucial region for achieving global plastics circularity. GPAP expanded with Lao PDR and Bangladesh, bringing Asia’s NPAP total to eight: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Maharashtra state (India), Pakistan, the Philippines and Viet Nam. These NPAPs convene more than 700 organizations in government, business, academia and civil society, advancing circular solutions. At a regional level, GPAP supports collaboration across countries at the forefront of global efforts – driving innovation and bold action towards a circular plastics economy by co-hosting the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Conference on Combatting Plastic Pollution and endorsing the ASEAN Declaration on Plastic Circularity. GPAP drives integration of regional priorities in close partnership with the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme. Asia The essence of NPAP is partnership. Its success rests on members’ active participation and leaning forward with innovative solutions, investment and collaboration to drive the systemic change needed to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable practices. Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Viet Nam and Vice-Chair of the NPAP Leadership Board, UNDP Viet Nam How Asia can be an example in the fight against plastic pollution CASE STUDY Flexible plastic recycling working group in the Philippines Challenge The Philippines generates 163 million flexible plastic sachets daily, with limited recycling infrastructure – focused largely on rigid plastics – and $890 million worth of lost recyclable waste. Solution and results NPAP Philippines launched a first of its kind flexible plastics recycling working group, co-led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Nestlé, convening government, business, civil society, and development partners. The initiative promotes innovative recycling technologies, enhances collection and advances a full value-chain approach, including food-grade recycling. Our role NPAP Philippines supported the working group with technical guidance and convening, enabling collaboration throughout the flexible plastics value chain – including collectors and sorters such as waste workers, recyclers and behavioural change experts – to implement scalable, sustainable solutions. Unlocking Plastic Action for Inclusion, Resilience and Growth: GPAP Annual Report 2025 8