All eyes are on UNEA to reach a legally binding pact against plastic pollution.
(IANS)
Wednesday was the third and last day of the fifth session of United Nations Environment Assembly. It took place at UN Environment Programme (UNEP headquarters in Kenya). All eyes were on the possible establishment an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to help kick-start work towards a legally binding global agreement to address plastic pollution.
The Assembly met in contact group for most of the day the day before. They succeeded on many critical fronts after lengthy discussions that lasted to midnight.
Delegates reached a landmark agreement on a Science-Policy Panel that will contribute to sound waste and chemical management and prevent pollution.
After a long day of negotiating text and negotiations, the delegates met in the Committee of the Whole (COW). They were able to approve 11 resolutions as well as one decision to help UNEP become more prominent on the global stage.
During the closing plenary, several resolutions were endorsed by the COW, including:
- Management of minerals & metals from an environmental perspective
- A contribution to sustainable consumption, production and enhancement of circular economy
- A resilient and sustainable infrastructure
- Supporting sustainable development through nature-based solutions
- Biodiversity, health
- The environmental dimension of a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive recovery after COVID-19
The delegates voted to hold the sixth session at UNEP headquarters, February 26-March 1, 2024.
During the leadership dialog, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez (CEO and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility) noted that money is being spent on harmful activities rather than protecting the planet’s life-supporting system.
Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive director, reminded participants multilateralism works “when we make it work,” urging stronger leadership to foster international coordination and cooperation.
Elizabeth Mrema (Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity) highlighted the importance of the post 2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF), in advancing collaboration among existing MEAs to foster better and more holistic responses to environmental crises.
Rolph Payet (Executive Secretary, Basel Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions) highlighted the efforts made by the BRS Conventions in exploring links between biodiversity and chemicals and waste and climate change.
One of the most interesting aspects of the Assembly’s proceedings will be the deliberations in which Member States discuss the possibility of establishing an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. This committee would help kick-start the work towards a global, legally binding agreement to tackle plastic pollution.
Given the magnitude and complexity of the global plastic pollution problem, the discussions between the member states and the private sector and civil society could be the most important development on the global environment agenda since the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.
Other important issues that will be discussed by the Assembly include ecosystem-based and biodiversity, green recovery, circular economy, chemical waste, and nitrogen management.
UNEP released a statement stating that an international resolution to eliminate plastic pollution will be givenled during the closing plenary. This Assembly is attended by more then 3,400 people in person and 1,500 online.
Inger Andersen, UNEP’s Executive Director, outlined what to expect from UNEA-5.2. This included progress on plastic pollution, stopping the use of harmful chemicals in agriculture, and deploying nature to help find sustainable development solutions.
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The headline and text of the above article were published by a wire agency.