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Sharjah, United Arab Emirates – 22 January, 2026: From university laboratories to coastal communities, the plastic pollution crisis is revealing itself in new and alarming ways. In an effort to bring scientific research, lived experience, and policy dialogue together under one roof, an expert panel, a screening of the new Greenpeace MENA documentary 'A Sea of Plastic', and an exhibition was held at the American University of Sharjah (AUS).
Co-organized by Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and AUS, building on the collaboration with the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) with contributions from Goumbook social enterprise, the discussions took place as Phase 2 of the United Arab Emirates' nationwide plastics ban rolled out, which came into effect this month.
Addressing regional policies and enforcement challenges, the discussions delved into the latest scientific research on microplastics testing and health implications, youth-led initiatives and citizen science, and the role of advocacy in shaping effective public policy. The event also featured the launch of a competition, Design for Change: Waste to Value Challenge, encouraging students to turn waste materials into scalable, practical design solutions that support sustainability, innovation, and creative responses to the plastic pollution crisis.
Farah Al Hattab, Lead Plastics Campaigner at Greenpeace MENA, said:
'The plastics crisis is scientific, political, and deeply human, and bringing this conversation to a university campus like the American University of Sharjah allows these perspectives to intersect. The research highlighted in 'A Sea of Plastic' shows that plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue but an increasing public health concern, revealing how deeply plastic has infiltrated our bodies, food systems, and daily lives. Addressing plastic pollution is a shared responsibility that transcends borders and communities, and calls for urgent action.'
In her turn, Dr Fatin Samara, Deputy Director of the Water, Energy and Sustainable Environments Research Center (EWSERC) and Professor of Environmental Sciences at AUS said:
'Marine plastic pollution poses a growing threat to coastal ecosystems in our region. Research on pollutants such as microplastics and persistent organic pollutants reveals the hidden pathways through which plastics affect marine life and human health. By combining scientific insight with documentary storytelling, this event underscores the urgency of protecting our shared marine environment and highlights the importance of building awareness, particularly among youth in the region, to drive meaningful and lasting change'.
Fadi Yaghmour, Scientific Researcher and Conservation Specialist at the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah said:
'Microplastics and plastic additives are now being detected in the human body, with chronic and often unseen impacts on our health that build up over time. While policies to address plastic pollution are a step in the right direction and effective in principle, monitoring and enforcement are essential to assess their real impact. Ultimately, the fight against plastic pollution is not only about moving away from single-use plastics, but about challenging the single-use mentality altogether.'
From her side, Tatiana Antonelli Abella from Goumbook said:
'As the UAE turns environmental ambition into action through its expanded plastic ban, a panel uniting science, policy, youth, and advocacy is more vital than ever. Science anchors evidence, policy sets direction, youth bring urgency and innovation, and advocacy drives action. Together, these voices raise awareness, shape behaviour, and ensure the fight against plastic pollution delivers lasting change.'
This event takes place amid national and regional efforts to address the plastic pollution crisis, as international negotiations toward a strong and ambitious Global Plastics Treaty continue.
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