Negotiations on global treaty to end plastic pollution begin in Uruguay

Rwanda will join nations from around the world in Uruguay to begin drafting a global treaty to end plastic pollution with the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC1), which will develop an Internationally legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution.

The session will take place in Punta del Este from 28 November to 2 December 2022, following multi-stakeholder and regional consultations as well as bureau meetings held on 26 and 27 November 2022 respectively.

The idea to develop a global treaty to end plastic pollution was initiated by Rwanda and later supported by Peru before it was passed as a resolution at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) held in March in Nairobi. 

The historic resolution to end plastic pollution and forge an international legally binding agreement by 2024 is considered the most important environment-related resolution taken since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015.

The process to draft and negotiate the treaty will take two years. The aim is to eliminate plastic waste upstream during production and polymer formation, midstream at product g and downstream during waste management. 

At the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, every continent is represented by two countries. Africa is represented by Rwanda and Senegal, which will serve as Bureau Members.

“We are delighted that the drafting of a global treaty on plastic pollution has now started. As the initiator of this treaty, Rwanda looks forward to working with other nations to create a legally-binding framework which holds us all accountable for ending plastic pollution by 2040,” said Juliet Kabera, Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority and Rwanda’s representative on the INC. 

The Bureau of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, which will be formally elected during this first meeting, will provide guidance in organizing the meetings of INC1.

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee will develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The instrument is to be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. The INC will consider how to promote sustainable production and consumption of plastics from product design to environmentally sound waste management through resource efficiency and circular economy approaches.

The creation of a global treaty to end plastic pollution aims to facilitate international cooperation through technology and knowledge sharing, as well as creating appropriate mechanisms for investment. This collaborative spirit will ensure the world can take full advantage of the economic opportunities created by a viable and vibrant circular economy for plastic.

Rwanda is also Co-Chair of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, and has joined more than 50 fellow members to send a united message to step up global ambition to end plastic pollution by 2040 ahead of the INC1. Read the full statement by the High Ambition Coalition here

Learn more about the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee Meeting here

Media Enquiries

  • Germaine Mukasibo, Communications and Public Relations Officer, Rwanda Environment Management Authority at gmukasibo@rema.gov.rw or on +250 788 775 456
  • Cyprien Ngendahimana, Communications Specialist, Rwanda Environment Management Authority at cngendahimana@rema.gov.rw or on +250 788 233 086.

 

 

Whatsapp

Topics


More posts

LDCF3 Project’s Improved Cookstoves: A Dual Solution for Climate Change and Human Health

In a ground-breaking move towards sustainable living, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) is making significant strides in the fight…

Read more →

From reluctance to acceptance: The LDCF3 Project beneficiaries embraces terraces for agricultural transformation

The beneficiaries of the Ecosystem/Landscape Approach to Climate Proof the Rural Settlement Programme of Rwanda, also known as LDCF3 Project, who…

Read more →

Rwanda welcomes historic COP28 decision to transition away from fossil fuels

The Government of Rwanda has welcomed the ground-breaking decision made at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework…

Read more →

Rwanda launches Carbon Market Framework to advance Climate Action for a Sustainable Future

Rwanda has today launched its National Carbon Market Framework in a significant stride towards a greener and more sustainable future. The framework…

Read more →

Over 45 professionals complete a capacity-building program in climate change analysis and reporting

Kigali, 17 November, 2023- Kigali, REMA, in collaboration with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Rwanda(AIMS_Rwanda), celebrated the…

Read more →

REMA’s LDCF3 Project distributes 5,000 improved cookstoves to beneficiaries to tackle climate change

The Rwanda Environment Management Authority distributes 5,000 improved cookstoves to beneficiaries of the Landscape Restoration Approach to Climate…

Read more →

BIOFIN’s Technical Advisor on Environmental Finance visits Rwanda to foster stakeholder engagement

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN)’s Technical Advisor on Environmental Finance for Africa, Mr. Bruno Mweemba recently visited Rwanda from…

Read more →

World Ozone Day: REMA recognizes students and lecturers with technologies and eco-friendly cooling solutions

Rwanda in September 2023 joined the rest of the world to mark the World Ozone Day with the theme “Montreal Protocol: Fixing the Ozone layer and…

Read more →

Rwanda launches the first-ever calibration laboratories for meteorology, hydrology and air quality monitoring equipment

Rwanda will no longer outsource calibration services for meteorology, hydrology and air quality monitoring equipment, as these services will from now…

Read more →