Blended Finance Partnership to Combat Ocean Plastic Pollution
USAID and the Private Sector:
Blended Finance Partnership to Combat Ocean Plastic Pollution (Launch Event)
June 5, 2019, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM 6th Floor Flom Auditorium
The amount of plastic pollution flowing into the ocean is increasing at an alarming rate, creating an urgent challenge for the world’s environment and economy. On our current trajectory, by 2050 — pound for pound — there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Most ocean plastic pollution emanates from developing countries — and, more specifically, from rapidly urbanizing coastal cities in the developing world — where waste management systems are struggling to keep pace with growing populations and increasing amounts of trash. The best way to address the flow of plastic into the ocean is to stop it at its source.
In this discussion, representatives from the U.S. government, private sector, and NGO community proposed innovative solutions and blended finance to tackle this critical issue.
Opening Remarks
Chris Milligan
Counselor, U.S. Agency for International Development
Panelists
Rob Kaplan
Founder and CEO, Circulate Capital
Haley Lowry
Global Sustainability and End Use Marketing Director, DOW
Steve Sikra
Associate Director, Corporate Research & Development, Global Product Stewardship, Proctor & Gamble
Carrie Thompson
Acting Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment, U.S. Agency for International Development
Emily Woglom
Executive Vice President, Ocean Conservancy
Moderator
Ambassador David Balton
Senior Fellow, Wilson Center; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, U.S. Department of State
Closing Remarks
The Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse
U.S. Senator (D-RI)
This event is supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Circulate Capital, and Ocean Conservancy.