5th UN Ocean Forum & Marine-based Products Expo
We’re excited to be in Geneva for the 5th United Nations Ocean Forum and the first-ever Marine-based Products and Services Expo—collaborating to advance #SDG14: Life Below Water and tackle plastic pollution at its source.
At GO!PHA, we aim to bridge the gap between innovation, policy, and real-world applications by coordinating support for biotech start-ups, SMEs, academia, brands, and industries, and connecting global stakeholders through our platform to showcase the potential of bio-based solutions.
🌎 Real-world solutions for safe and healthy oceans—Expo
As part of a select group of global initiatives, GO!PHA is presenting innovative solutions to address plastic pollution at source, advance nature-based solutions, and support climate and ocean-friendly business models. We’re bringing together innovators to showcase how renewably sourced, novel biobased materials offer safer, nature-compatible solutions and can play a critical role in reducing plastic pollution impacts and building a more sustainable ocean economy.
🔹 From biodegradable agricultural mulches that prevent plastic buildup in soils to eco-friendly textiles that reduce microplastic shedding, PHAs are unlocking new pathways for sustainable solutions.
🔹 PHAs also hold promise as biodegradable materials in ecological restoration and replacing plastics in fishing gear—addressing critical sources of marine pollution and cutting microplastics at the source.
🔹 Innovative materials like PHAs are part of a broader effort to cut harmful substances and microplastics where they originate—providing real-world solutions for global environmental challenges.
📢 Aligning policy—Panel discussion
To support informed discussions at the 5th UN Ocean Forum, UN Trade & Development (UNCTAD) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization have released a detailed analysis on trade policies and tools for reducing plastic pollution. The document recognizes PHAs as functional, marine-biodegradable biopolymers derived from microorganisms—a promising solution for tackling plastic waste.
🔗 For more context, read the full document here: https://unctad.org/system/files/non-official-document/5th-un-oceans-forum-background_en.pdf
At GO!PHA, we’re proud to contribute our experience and expertise to these critical conversations. Our goal is to help shape inclusive, evidence-based policy frameworks that leverage the potential of innovations in novel material development and biotech advancements—ensuring they deliver both environmental impact and economic opportunity on a global scale.
🗣️ Our Co-Founder @ Anindya Mukherjee spoke in an interactive panel discussion on March 4th from 3:00 - 4:30 PM CET on Trade Policies and Tools for Innovative Marine-based and Low-carbon Products by SMEs (including foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and non-plastic substitutes).
✨ A big thank you to UNCTAD, our partners, and fellow innovators for sharing their groundbreaking solutions. We’re proud to showcase how innovative biotech can create meaningful impact.