June 19, 2025
On 19th June 2025, the Director General of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), Mr. Norbu Wangchuk, hosted a high-level meeting at the SACEP Secretariat with senior officials from the World Bank South Asia Region. The delegation included Ms. Cecile Fruman, Director, Regional Integration and Engagement, South Asia Region (SAR); Ms. Dina Umali-Deininger, Regional Practice Director, Planet, SAR; and Ms. Ann Jeannette Glauber, Practice Manager, Environment.
Director General Mr. Norbu Wangchuk warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed deep appreciation for the World Bank’s long standing support in advancing SACEP’s regional mandate. He particularly acknowledged the Bank’s contribution to strengthening SACEP’s capacity to foster innovation and sustainability across South Asia.
A key focus of the discussion was on the innovative solutions and approaches emerging from the PLEASE Project (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia). The meeting discussed how these pioneering efforts under PLEASE could be scaled up and integrated with other regional initiatives supported by the World Bank.
Both sides underscored the importance of sustained engagement and innovation in addressing transboundary environmental challenges. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening collaboration to drive forward solutions that not only respond to immediate environmental threats but also contribute meaningfully to national and regional sustainable development goals. The meeting concluded with an agreement to explore concrete opportunities for joint action that can deliver lasting benefits for the people and ecosystems of South Asia.
