8 April 2026 – A one-day virtual workshop on “Microplastic Pollution: Knowledge Sharing on Recent Scientific Advances,” held on 7 April 2026 via Zoom, successfully brought together researchers, academics, and professionals from around the world to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration on microplastic pollution.
Jointly organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), and Universitas Pertamina (UP), the workshop facilitated scientific knowledge exchange on recent advances in microplastic research among participants. Over 130 participants from 16 countries attended, with strong representation from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Pakistan, as well as participants from Malaysia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, China, Japan, Nigeria, and Qatar.
The workshop featured 12 expert speakers across four thematic sessions, covering key topics such as microplastic monitoring and characterization, environmental fate and transport, socio-environmental dimensions, and emerging mitigation technologies. Case studies from multiple countries highlighted the widespread occurrence of microplastics in air, water, and marine systems, as well as the complexity of their sources and pathways, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. Discussions also emphasized critical research gaps, including the lack of standardized methodologies, limited data comparability, and insufficient understanding of microplastic behavior and impacts.
The event successfully strengthened regional networking and collaboration, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and future partnerships. It reaffirmed the importance of interdisciplinary research, capacity building, and a stronger science–policy interface to support effective and sustainable solutions to microplastic pollution at both regional and global levels.
