On 10 February 2025, ADB, in collaboration with the City Government of Manila, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau, and other national government agencies, launched the Manila City Action Plan for Plastic Circularity at ADB Headquarters, aligned with the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter and in support of the country’s vision of Zero Waste to Philippine Waters by 2040. Prepared under ADB’s Regional Technical Assistance for Promoting Action on Plastic Pollution from Source to Sea in Asia and the Pacific, the action plan serves as an actionable blueprint for strengthening government capacity, unlocking key investments, and deploying technologies for tackling plastic pollution at source.

Water and Urban Development Senior Director Norio Saito shared ADB’s regional support to address plastic pollution, highlighting holistic, scalable, and sustainable circular solutions. Philippines Country Director Pavit Ramachandran highlighted ADB’s support for the country in line with the Country Partnership Strategy 2024-2029 pillar on scaling up nature-based development and disaster resilience, including efforts to rejuvenate the Pasig River, strengthen marine ecosystem management, and develop the blue economy. Climate Change, Resilience, Environment Director Yoko Watanabe discussed how the circular economy, a key pillar in ADB’s new Environment Action Plan, is integrated across operations. She also emphasized ADB’s support to countries preparing for a new global agreement to curb plastic pollution or the Global Plastic Treaty.

Other ADB experts and government partners also discussed key initiatives to advance the circular economy and operationalize plastic circularity in Manila and beyond.