By,ABID SIDDIQUE CHAUDHRY
The World Ambassador
TWA
—
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Republic of Korea and the city of Busan for hosting the fifth round of negotiations on a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. Today marks a significant milestone—1,000 days since the historic UNEA resolution initiated this journey. Compared to multilateral agreements that span decades, this is commendable progress.
**The Scale of the Challenge**
Yet, plastic pollution transcends human timescales. Some plastics take up to 1,000 years to decompose, breaking into microplastics that persist and pervade ecosystems. The harm is multifaceted: disrupting natural systems, undermining climate resilience, blocking urban drainage, and potentially endangering human health. Moreover, increasing plastic production intensifies greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating the climate crisis.
**Rising Demand for Action**
The world is calling for urgent measures. Civil society groups, waste pickers, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, businesses, and financial institutions are advocating for global rules. The recent G20 declaration underscored the urgency, committing to finalize this treaty by year’s end.
Even children, like Myles Kariuki from Kenya, are raising their voices. Myles poignantly wrote, “Fish are eating plastic. Our parents won’t have money to pay our school fees. Please help us.” This highlights the far-reaching impacts of plastic pollution on livelihoods and communities.
**A Pivotal Moment in Busan**
This week presents a unique opportunity to shape an enduring instrument to combat plastic pollution. By the end of this week, the treaty must embody an ambitious starting point with clear contours for effective action.
**Key Provisions to Finalize**
The treaty provisions can be grouped into three “buckets”:
1. **Established Precedents:**
Rapid consensus is needed on foundational elements like compliance, reporting, monitoring, education, and the establishment of a Conference of the Parties.
2. **Converging Provisions:**
Critical topics such as product design, waste management, legacy pollution, and just transitions require further refinement.
3. **Unresolved Issues:**
– **Plastic Products and Chemicals:** Agreement on harmful chemicals and alternatives to specific single-use plastics is essential.
– **Supply and Lifecycle:** Sustainable production and consumption, guided by SDG 12, must be prioritized.
– **Finance Mechanisms:** A financial framework, potentially including a multilateral fund, must be defined to support treaty implementation.
**Call to Action**
This week demands focused, good-faith negotiations to set the treaty’s ambitious trajectory. The details can evolve later, but the foundation must be strong and meaningful.
**Beyond the Negotiations**
The adoption of this instrument will be followed by a diplomatic conference. UNEP encourages consensus among nations on the next steps to ensure swift implementation.
**A Shared Vision**
Plastic pollution is a universal concern. No one wants litter in green spaces, microplastics in their bodies, or unsafe conditions for waste workers. This treaty represents the global will to end plastic pollution and the necessity of decisive action.
Let us deliver an instrument that paves the way for thousands of days, months, and years free from plastic pollution. The world is watching, and the time to act is now.
