#SDG14: Plastic Harvest for Ecosystem Sustainability and Circular Economy
As part of the #EnerGathon2025 – In partnership with the Institution of the Green Engineers | IGEN

DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025
TIME: 05:30 a.m. TR | 8 to 9:00 a.m. IND | 10:30 a.m. HK | 7:30 p.m. PT (May 16) | 10:30 pm. EST (May 16)

Please JOIN Us via Youtube Webstreaming @IGENSDGPlus.

Panel Discussion:
1. Ms. Bircan Ünver, LMGlobal.Org, Welcoming Remarks/Moderator, U.S.
2. ⁠Mr. Doug Woodring, Keynote speaker, U.S./Hong Kong
3. ⁠Ms. Yulia Prayanti, Harvest Plastic Lombok, Indonesia
4. Mr. Harish Gyani, High School Student, India
Session Coordinator: Dr. Anuradha T., IGEN #EnerGathon2025

[LMGlobal.Org] The Light Millennium Global is proud to be a part of the IGEN #EnerGathon2025 for the third year in a row. In support of the Third UN Ocean Conference, the Organization will be focused in this particular session on #SDG14, which will focus on the Harvest Plastic, and unfold its rich potential. 

Originating from Ocean Recovery Alliance’s works in Cambodia and now thriving in Lombok, directly addresses SDG14 (Life Below Water) by innovatively tackling plastic pollution at the community level. This initiative’s unique “Wet and Dry” sorting system captures all plastic types (#1-7) from households, preventing their leakage into waterways and ultimately the ocean, achieving impressive recovery rates. Beyond the aquatic realm, by focusing on land-based collection and eliminating open burning, Harvest Plastic also contributes to SDG15 (Life on Land) by reducing terrestrial pollution and its harmful impact on ecosystems and human health. As global efforts towards a circular economy and the UN Plastic Treaty progress, the panel will explore what Harvest Plastic offers with a compelling, community-driven model demonstrating tangible solutions for both marine and terrestrial ecosystem sustainability.

Background: The #EnerGathon2025 is organized by the Institution of Green Engineers | IGEN, based in Chennai, India. The IGEN ENERGATHON 2025, the fourth edition of this globally recognized energy action marathon, is set to make history with a 2025-minute world record attempt. Aligned with the 55th Earth Day and themed around “Our Power & Our Planet”. The LMGlobal.Org was partnered with the IGEN in 2023,  2024, and in this edition too, joining the 25 global partners, 25 academic institutions, 25 industry and academic leaders, 25 K+ participants, and 25 strategic themes. In each session within EnerGathon, each partner will focus on a different goal and/or aspects of the SDGs towards continuous, solution-oriented dialogue to address the most pressing global energy challenges.
#UNPlasticTreaty | #HarvestPlastic | #EcosystemSustainability | #CircularEconomy | #UNOC3 | #UNWithCivilSociety

Keynote Speaker: Mr. DOUGLAS WOODRING, Founder, Managing Director – Ocean Recovery Alliance
Mr. Woodring is the Founder and Managing Director of Ocean Recovery Alliance, a non-profit organization that is focused on bringing together innovative solutions, technology, collaborations, and policy to create positive improvements for the health of the ocean.  Two of its global programs were launched at the Clinton Global Initiative in 2010, including the Global Alert platform for reporting trash hotspots worldwide and the Plastic Disclosure Project (PDP).  He was recently awarded the 2018 Prince’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy from Prince Albert of Monaco.  His Harvest Plastic programs in Cambodia and Indonesia are unique in the way they engage village households to create recovery rates for plastic of over 85% for that which is collected, and these programs can be replicated.  He also founded the Plasticity Forum, one of the few conferences focusing on solutions for second-life plastic, with a reduced waste footprint.  
Born in Northern California, Mr. Woodring has worked in Asia for over 30 years, and has a dual Master’s degree from The Wharton School (MBA) and Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Environmental Economics.  He has a BA from the University of California at Berkeley.

Ms. YULIA PRAYANI, ST., MM is a former national Shorinji Kempo athlete, now actively engaged as an educator, facilitator, and community leader in the fields of sports, environment, and
sustainable tourism. With a background in engineering and tourism management, she
has built a multidisciplinary career that integrates sportsmanship, creativity, and
leadership.
She is experienced in developing community programs, managing nationwide events, and communicating key issues effectively through digital content and educational activities. I also have professional experience in corporate administration, including document handling, tax management, and administrative systems.
Educational
2021, Mataram University
2015, Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Telecommunications)
Wardiere University 

Mr. HARISH GYANI, 10th Grade Student, Chennai, India. 
Harish’s favourite subjects are: Science and Mathematics
He has won 5th prize in the National Vedic Maths competition and 2 class trophies in Abacus, and a gold medal in football and cricket. Also won a medal in under 20 category for a marathon of 12 kilometres in the all-age category.
And I am one of the participants of the 2025 J.U.C. (international) Special Award in the Innovation Category, which is dedicated to the Water Action Decade.
Harish declared the following: “My mother, Muthu Rani, has given full consent to my attendance at the session, along with the usage of my name, photo, and presentation to be posted and shared at the event and about the event.”

WELCOMING REMARKS & MODERATOR: Ms. BİRCAN ÜNVER, M.A., Producer, Originator, Founder-President 
Bircan has been leading and producing all aspects of its e-publications and public programs and #LightMillenniumTV Programs since 2000. Officially formed in New York in 2001. 
She carried out the Organization’s association with the U.N. as an NGO in 2005 and has been Head-NGO Rep. to the UNDGC since then. As a head NGO representative to the UN, she represented LMGlobal.org at the 2024 UN Summit of the Future. In support of the #SoTF, she has launched a five-year campaign on the “Compulsory Peace Education and ICTs” concept, which was inaugurated on October 5, 2024, and has already presented four events, including #EducationDay on January 25, 2025. Further, Bircan is the Peace and Goodwill Ambassador for Anuvibha (based in Jaipur, India) to the U.N.
She is a recipient of various national (U.S.) and international awards and recognitions.
Author of four Turkish and one English book in print, including Hope Never Fades (2023, concept & compiled). 
Authored numerous concepts of the public events, including #CompulsoryPeaceEducationICTs vision. Holds a master’s degree in Media Studies from the New School University (1999, NYC) and a B.A. in Fine Arts from the Mimar Sinan University (1988, Istanbul). 
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bircan-%C3%BCnver-62a4993/ | X@bircanunver
 | #bircanunver | Instagram@unverbircan

On behalf of the Light Millennium Global, Bircan Ünver introduced the concept, “Plastic Harvest for Ecosystem Sustainability and Circular Economy” in support of the #SDG14, #SDG15 & The Third United Nations Ocean Conference #UNOC3 (Nice, France, June 9-13, 2025) of the one hour session which is scheduled for May 17, 2025 at the Pre-Conference-05 IGEN ENERGATHON 2025 on May 10, 2025. For more information, please visit IGEN Website.