UN Global Treaty

Dr. Thomas Maes is a senior scientist and founder of SEAMOHT Ltd, an independent consultancy working at the science–policy interface on marine pollution, waste, and circular economy. With a multidisciplinary background in civil engineering, marine and terrestrial biology, and a PhD in ecotoxicology, he has over 20 years of experience across research, policy, and international projects. He supports global initiatives through collaborations with UN frameworks and Horizon Europe, focusing on marine litter, microplastics, and emerging pollutants. His work centres on harmonising monitoring approaches and translating scientific evidence into actionable policy, contributing to coordinated global observing systems such as IMDOS.

Vitória Scrich is an environmental scientist from the University of São Paulo (USP) and a policy advisor at the Secretariat for Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Her work focuses on marine litter and solid waste governance, with emphasis on integrating science-based approaches into public policy. She has contributed to the development of national and state strategies to combat plastic pollution, including Brazil’s National Ocean Without Plastic Strategy and São Paulo’s State Plan to Monitor and Combat Marine Litter. Vitória is a member of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty and participates in the sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.

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