Dr. Janaka de Silva, Senior Programme Coordinator, Global Marine and Polar Programme, IUCN, is a fisheries biologist by training and specializes in Marine and Coastal issues. His experience includes, designing implementing and managing ecosystem-based programs that integrate forests, watersheds and marine systems, providing and advice on species management to governing bodies. He managed IUCN`s Global Plastic Portfolio “Closing the Plastic Tap” that has been being implemented in 11+ countries that advances knowledge and takes action to address the impact of plastic waste and leakage on the marine environment. Among else, recently Janaka has been involved in the creation of the PLAST toolkit (Plastic Pollution Assessment Methodologies Suitability Toolkit) for the World Bank Group, the EPICC project (End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative) and in the on-going project for the ASEAN member states on harmonised methodologies for plastic pollution measurement and monitoring.