Newcastle, Australia | 27–28 November 2025

The Chairman of the Arab Network for Emerging Environmental Pollutants (EPN), Adel Al-Gheethi, served as Program Chair for the international Microplastics in Focus Conference, held in Newcastle, New South Wales, in November 2025.

The conference marked a historic milestone in environmental research, being the first conference in Australia dedicated entirely to microplastics research, and the first global scientific conference to focus explicitly on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the assessment, monitoring, and remediation of plastic pollution.

A pioneering scientific platform

Under Dr. Al-Gheethi’s leadership, the scientific program brought together leading international researchers, policymakers, and industry experts to address the full spectrum of microplastics challenges—from environmental occurrence and human exposure to advanced analytical technologies and data-driven solutions.

A central theme of the conference was the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning tools into microplastics research. Sessions explored how AI-driven approaches can enhance detection accuracy, automate data analysis, enable large-scale monitoring, and support predictive modeling for plastic pollution management.

Advancing innovation and global collaboration

The conference provided a forward-looking platform for discussing innovative, scalable solutions to plastic pollution, bridging traditional environmental science with emerging digital technologies. Participants emphasized that AI-based methods represent a transformative shift in how microplastics contamination is assessed and addressed globally.

By chairing the scientific program, EPN reinforced its role as a key regional and international contributor to cutting-edge environmental research and innovation. The leadership role also strengthened Arab representation in global scientific discourse on emerging environmental pollutants.

A landmark event for microplastics science

Organizers and participants described Microplastics in Focus 2025 as a landmark event that set new directions for microplastics research worldwide. The conference underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, combining environmental science, chemistry, data science, and policy to confront one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

EPN noted that insights and outcomes from the conference will inform its ongoing efforts in capacity building, policy support, and the development of regional strategies to address microplastics pollution in the Arab region and beyond.