Manchester based ASEZ Hosts ‘Zero Plastic 2040 Forum’ in Munich

Manchester based volunteer group ASEZ hosted a Zero Plastic 2040 forum in Munich, Germany.

Following the conclusion of the 5.2 session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5.2) in Geneva on August 15, international attention on the urgency of ending plastic pollution has increased.

While the negotiations ended without an agreement, they clearly highlighted the growing need for global cooperation.

In this context, ASEZ, the university student volunteer group of the World Mission Society Church of God, organized the “Zero Plastic 2040 Forum” on August 18 in Munich to discuss concrete steps toward tackling plastic pollution.

The forum brought together around 50 in-person participants from Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, and Vienna. Including online attendees from France, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic – and notably, students from Manchester – the total number of participants reached approximately 230.

ASEZ previously joined INC-5.2 through the Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG) of UNEP, with 19 students from leading universities like the Technical University of Munich and Harvard participating. On UN International Youth Day, ASEZ co-hosted a side event with UNCTAD, engaging youth representatives globally.

In Munich, UNEP offered an expert lecture with policy recommendations featuring speakers such as H.E. Antonio Lehmann, the Costa Rican Ambassador to Germany, and Isabel Arens, EU Climate Pact Ambassador. Bernardo Miller and Anna Lear Pinkney provided insights from INC-5.2.

Ambassador Lehmann emphasized the urgent need for action: “If we want to enjoy tomorrow what we have today, we must do more than we are doing now. And we must start today – tomorrow is already too late.” Isabel Arens encouraged students to adopt practical measures to reduce plastic consumption.

The participants – including those from Manchester – recognized the urgency of the issue and pledged to reduce plastic use in their daily lives, in line with the shared vision: Plastic-Free by 2040.