**5.1 Colombo workshop on LMP control**

On 22–25 October 1997, the UNEP organized a workshop on the Implementation of the GPA for the Protection of the Marine Environment from LMP in the South Asian Regions, also known as 'Colombo Workshop on LMP Control.' The workshop deliberated a draft about the overview of land-based sources and activities that affect marine, coastal and freshwater environment, regional action program, and their implementation process, including institutional activities, financial consideration for the Protection of the marine environment from land-based activities in the South Asian Seas (SAS) [57, 58]. As India, Maldives, Nepal, Srilanka, and Pakistan are the representative countries of the Workshop and SACEP acted as Secretariat for the Workshop, the participants need special attention to protect the marine environment from LMP control. The Colombo workshop also suggested an integrated approach to developing national action programs to implement national environmental strategies and policies, including a regional action plan and financial cooperation among the related stakeholders [57]. However, Bangladesh was not attending this workshop so that Bangladesh could follow the recommendations of the Colombo workshop for effective involvement with GPA in the control of LMP in the SAS region.
