Rwanda has from 14^th to 16^th February hosted a two-day workshop for negotiators of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution (HAC). The workshop aimed to reflect on the outcomes of the last session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution (INC-3)

The Kigali workshop presented an opportunity to the 60+ participants to support members in their national preparations for the upcoming INC-4 scheduled to take place from 23 to 29 April 2024 in Ottawa, Canada.

They also explored common priorities and goals for the INC-4, discussed the HAC’s role at INC-4, identified and reflected on how to achieve shared key outcomes, and exchanged views on key aspects of the revised draft text among many others.

The HAC, co-chaired by Rwanda and Norway was formed following the adoption of resolution 5/14 “End Plastic Pollution: Towards an International Legally Binding Instrument” by the UN Environment Assembly in March 2022.

HAC is committed to developing an ambitious international legally binding instrument based on a comprehensive and circular approach that ensures urgent action and effective interventions along the full lifecycle of plastics. Its common ambition is to end plastic pollution by 2040.

“As we meet here, we must keep in mind the deadline to complete negotiations and develop a treaty that is effective and ambitious. Time is of the essence, and we need to work together to meet this deadline” said Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment.

Minister Mujawamariya highlighted that Rwanda has worked hard to ban single-use plastics and protect citizens from harmful plastics. However, she insisted, “Despite some of the most progressive laws in the world, we know we cannot solve the plastic pollution crisis alone. That is why we need to work together”

HAC member states are championing innovative solutions that pave the way for a sustainable future. At the workshop, Brenda Koekkoek, Programme Manager at the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, presents the outcomes of INC-3 and the road to INC-4, which will take place in Ottawa, Canada at the end of April.