The United NationsEnvironment Assembly (UNEA5.2) brings together nearly 200 Member States in order to start negotiations for a global plastics agreement. The UN’s highest environmental decision making body, UNEA (UNEA-5.2), is located in Nairobi, Kenya. The State Secretary of Finland is the head of the Finnish delegation in Nairobi, Kenya. Terhi LehtonenSource: Ministry of the Environment
The Assembly will be discussing several draft resolutions. Three of them relate to plastic pollution and marine litter. Finland and the European Union have one goal: for member states to begin negotiations on a legally binding, global plastics agreement. Finland is aiming for an ambitious agreement that covers the entire life cycle, sustainable production and use of plastics, as well as the circular economy. The competing proposals focus more on the end-of-the-plastics life cycle, waste management, voluntary reductions of single-use plastics, and the prevention and elimination of marine litter.
“Millions upon millions of tonnes of plastic end-up in the oceans every year. The oceans and marine pollution are not bound by borders. Minister of the Environment and Climate Change said that we need a global agreement and shared goals to end plastic pollution. Emma Kari.
The discussion will also include the possibility of member states negotiating the establishment and deciding on the tasks and responsibilities of a science panel on chemicals, pollution and waste. Finland believes the panel should create scientific reports to support decision-making, raise new topics of concern worldwide, and find solutions. Finland also wants to strengthen the UN Environment Programme’s scientific role.
The Assembly will also be discussing resolutions regarding biodiversity and the circular economics.
The Assembly is expected agree to a Ministerial Declaration. It will emphasize the importance of a clean environment and climate action in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
A Special Session, which will take place on 3 and 4, March, will follow the Assembly to commemorate the 50th anniversary UN Environment Programme. High-level dialogues at the Session will assess UNEP’s achievements in the past 50 years and its contribution to achieving the 2030 Agenda goals. The Session will publish an important political declaration at high level to strengthen environmental governance, law, and UNEP.
The Finnish delegation includes representatives from ministries, research institutions, civil society organisations, and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. It also includes a youth delegates.
Source: Ministry of the Environment