Action towards Marine Plastic Pollution for Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals

SIDE EVENT
Friday 3 June
15:15-16:30 CEST
Stockholmsmässan, Room 5

Organizers: Government of Kenya, Government of Ecuador, The International Maritime Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Wide Fund for Nature

About: Plastic pollution has been so widespread and difficult to clean up and we need to address the problem at the source – at the level of production, consumption and trade. The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) 5.2 called upon all Member States to continue and step-up activities, and adopt voluntary measures, to combat plastic pollution, including measures related to sustainable consumption and production. 14. UNEA 5.2 further resolved to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, which could include both binding and voluntary approaches, based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic, taking into account, among other things, the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, as well as national circumstances and capabilities.

The side event intends to:

i. Explore global initiatives to accelerate action to tackle plastic pollution

ii. Promote investments and partnerships/ Action Alliances to take action on plastics across their lifecycle

iii. Promote multi-stakeholder dialogue and networking to eliminate plastic pollution

iv. Expand the number of endorsees for global plastic action commitments

v. Keep the momentum of the adoption of the mandate for a new legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution.

Moderator(s): Lydia Ngugi (Maritime Technology Cooperation Center for Africa)

Panelists:

  • Nancy Karigithu (Special Envoy on Maritime and Blue Economy Kenya)
  • Gustavo Manrique Miranda (Minister of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, Ecuador)
  • Jose Matheickal (International Maritime Organization)
  • Fredrik Haag (International Maritime Organization)
  • María Amparo Pérez Roda (FAO)
  • Gustaf Lind (WWF Sweden)

Contact person: Martha Kimani (wmartha116_at_gmail.com)

Event outcomes (Key transformative actions):

  • Global legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. At the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) the resolution "End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument" was unanimously adopted by 175 states. The resolution outlines the development of a robust treaty that allows for global rules and obligations across the full life cycle of plastic and represents the beginning of solid and collaborative work that will bring together all stakeholders across the plastic value chain to address plastic pollution.
  • To have an impact, the new agreement must be shaped in a way that promotes equity and incentivizes participation and compliance of States. The negotiations should also  allow a transparent , inclusive and collaborative process for all stakeholders, including scientists, businesses,  civil society organizations and the informal and cooperative sectors. This will be crucial to accomplish the expected outcome of finishing the negotiation by 2024 and lay the foundations for actions  on all levels for decades to come to end plastic plastic pollution.

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