Nairobi, March 2 — In a significant development, leaders, environmental ministers, and representatives from UN member states, gathered at the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) in Nairobi on March 2, 2022.
The assembly unanimously endorsed a groundbreaking resolution that aims to end plastic pollution. Specifically, the committee underscored the need to establish an international legally binding agreement by 2024, covering every aspect of plastic, from production to disposal. The resolution proposes the creation of an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) that will be tasked with drafting a legally binding agreement by December 2024. The INC will focus on a profound array of measures, hoping to address concerns dealing with the promotion of reusable and recyclable products, the lifecycle of plastic-derived goods, and the facilitation of international cooperation in research and scientific development.
The UN Environment Programme further intends on hosting a forum this year, inviting all stakeholders to share global insights and best practices. This platform will encourage transparent dialog grounded in scientific knowledge, with ongoing progress reporting over the next two years. Upon the INC's conclusion, UNEP will convene a diplomatic conference to adopt and open the agreement for signatures.
“The resolution will clearly take us towards a future with no plastic pollution, including in the marine environment,” said Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, Japan’s Environment Minister, whose draft resolution contributed to the final resolution. “United, we can make it happen. Together, let us go forward as we start the negotiations towards a better future with no plastic pollution.”
This historic resolution, officially titled "End Plastic Pollution: Towards an internationally legally binding instrument," marks the culmination of the three-day UNEA-5.2 conference, attended by over 3,400 individuals in person and 1,500 online participants from UN Member States.
The enactment of this resolution is a monumental step toward addressing the global plastic pollution crisis.
Source: UNEP. "Historic day in the campaign to beat plastic pollution: Nations commit to develop a legally binding agreement". https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/historic-day-campaign-beat-plastic-pollution-nations-commit-develop#:~:text=Nairobi%2C%2002%20March%202022%20%E2%80%93%20Heads,legally%20binding%20agreement%20by%202024. 02 March 2022. [Accessed: 03 March 2022].
Edited by Yash Pincha
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