WCEF2026 Accelerator Session: A Circular Blue Economy: Bangladesh as a South Asian Pioneer

WCEF2026 and the Session Description

This is an accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026 will gather forward-looking thinkers and doers and present the gamechangers in the circular economy. The forum will be held from 15 to 18 September 2026 in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, India. WCEF2026 is organized jointly by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, together with global and local partners. Free of charge, open to all online.

As South Asian coastal economies face dual pressures from post-LDC graduation challenges and climate vulnerability, transitioning from linear marine extraction models to systemic circular blue economies is imperative. Bangladesh, possessing a strategically significant and resource-rich maritime area in the Bay of Bengal, is positioning itself as a regional pioneer in operationalizing a circular blue economy. This momentum is reinforced by the Government´s integration of the blue economy in its new trillion-dollar economy growth plan, including a dedicated Blue Economy Research Fund, and a target of raising fisheries export earnings to $1 billion by 2030.

Shifting away from isolated pilot interventions, UNDP Bangladesh's Circular Economy Portfolio employs a system-wide model spanning five core domains: A Circular Policy Framework, Youth and Employment, Circular Value Chains, Green and Circular Cities, and a Blue Economy. In the blue economy, the key focus sectors include sustainable aquaculture, coastal resilience, ship breaking, transport, energy production, and marine bio valorization. However, circular value-addition can only succeed if built on a healthy and viable marine resource base. This requires parallel investments in fisheries management and ecosystem protection.

This session will showcase how Bangladesh's can balance between its blue economy growth endeavors, with a zero waste and pollution scenario, focus on green and circular business models, and conservation of the marine and coastal areas. Through panel discussions and regional dialogue, participants will examine actionable strategies for greening export supply chains, advancing blended finance and blue carbon mechanisms, and enabling inclusive coastal livelihoods. Hosted in Gandhinagar, India, the session aims to bridge South Asian regional priorities with global circular technology providers, investors, and policymakers.

Objectives

• Showcase Bangladesh's practical frameworks, policy tools, and investment pipelines for transitioning to a circular blue economy in South Asia.
• Explore circular solutions in key maritime sectors, including sustainable aquaculture, coastal waste reduction, eco-certified ship recycling, and marine bio-valorization.
• Discuss policy alignment, blended finance, blue carbon mechanisms, and market frameworks required to green export supply chains and create inclusive coastal livelihoods.
• Bridge South Asian regional priorities with global circular technology providers, investors, and international policy networks.

Target Audience of this Session

Government policy and planning officials, maritime and trade representatives, private sector leaders from ship recycling and export industries, DFIs, green/blue finance investors, circular technology providers, coastal community representatives, CSOs, and researchers interested in South Asian circular blue economy transitions.