About the conference
The second International Conference of the African Marine Waste Network (AMWN) programme of Sustainable Seas Trust (SST), titled Towards Zero Plastics to the Seas of Africa, represents the premier event in SST’s calendar.
Cost is R3000 per person and does not include transportation or accommodation. It does, however, include the conference attendance fee, tea, coffee and light snacks twice daily, daily lunch and the reception cocktail dinner and gala dinner.

THE WORKSHOP SERIES
Catch up on the series to ensure you are ready to join the conversation by clicking on the links below.
Production and Consumption
Friday 10 Dec 2021
Online event, at 09:00 a.m. GMT until 12:30 p.m. GMT
Tuesday 18 January 2022
Online event, at 09:00 a.m. GMT until 12:30 p.m. GMT
Recycling
Tuesday 1 February 2022
Online event, at 09:00 a.m. GMT until 12:30 p.m. GMT
Disposal
Tuesday 15 February 2022
Online event, at 09:00 a.m. GMT until 12:30 p.m. GMT
Tuesday 1 March 2022
Online event, at 09:00 a.m. GMT until 12:30 p.m. GMT
Tuesday 15 March 2022
Online event, at 09:00 a.m. GMT until 12:30 p.m. GMT
Tuesday 29 March 2022
Online event, at 09:00 a.m. GMT until 12:30 p.m. GMT
Additional issues, if needed
Tuesday 12 April 2022
Online event, at 09:00 a.m. GMT until 12:30 p.m. GMT

OBJECTIVES, OUTPUTS
AND VALUES
Objective
The primary objective of the conference is producing a Guide to Developing National and Regional Action Plans, with a Decision-Making Framework for Management of Plastics in Africa, hereafter referred to as the Guidebook.
Outputs
The Guidebook will be a clear framework outlining the actions that must be taken locally within African countries, nationally and regionally, to combat plastic waste. In complete alignment with the call from UNEA and UNEP to assist African countries develop such plans, this output will guide decision-makers in Africa to the specific steps that can be adapted to the circumstances that exist in their countries, thereby explicitly contributing to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals.
Values
- Focussed and action-oriented
- Inclusive and engaging
- Realistic yet aspirational
- Innovative and forward-thinking
Background
Africa is the second most polluted continent. Costs of marine waste to Africa are estimated in the millions of dollars every year. While the exact amount of waste entering the sea from the African continent remains unknown, it is clear the rapid development of Africa has seen waste accumulation outpace management capacity. Waste from Africa enters the sea and becomes part of the global environment. Thus, marine waste problems in Africa are part of the shared global waste problem.
Specifically, marine pollution in African is a detriment to the continent’s economy, human health, wildlife, and environment, while contributing to the challenge of climate change. Without the necessary infrastructure to collect and process plastic waste at scale, and with a growing population, Africa must play its part in finding solutions to this increasing global problem.