Nations sign up to end plastic pollution

NAIROBI: At the United Nations Environment Assembly held in Nairobi on March 2, Heads of State, environment ministers and other representatives from 175 nations signed a resolution to end plastic pollution. The nations decided to form an international legally binding agreement by the end of 2024. 

Espen Barth Eide, President of the Assembly and Minister for Climate and the Environment, Norway, said that plastic pollution has grown into an epidemic and with this resolution, the world is officially on track for a cure. Against the backdrop of geopolitical turmoil, he said that the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) shows multilateral cooperation at its best.

Based on three initial draft resolutions from various nations, the resolution establishes an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC). The INC will begin its work this year as it aims to complete a draft of legally binding agreement by the end of 2024. The agreement, as a legally binding instrument, is expected to reflect diverse alternatives to address the full life cycle of plastics, the design of reusable and recyclable products and materials, and the need for enhanced international collaboration to facilitate access to technology.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) stated that it will convene a forum by the end of this year, which will be in conjunction with the first session of the INC. The forum will facilitate in sharing knowledge and best practices in different parts of the world.

Inger Anderson, Executive Director, UNEP, said that this is the most significant environmental multilateral deal since the Paris accord. She said that in parallel to negotiations over an international binding agreement, UNEP will work with any willing government and business across the value chain to help shift away from single-use plastics, as well as to mobilise private finance and remove barriers to investments in research and in a new circular economy.