This is a negotiation session following the negotiation sessions in Uruguay in 2022 and France in June 2023. At this negotiation session, for the first time, Vietnam and other countries officially discussed the content of the Agreement after draft number 0 was released by the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee in September 2023.
With that in mind, speaking at the Opening Session, Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, once again emphasized and affirmed the importance of the Agreement - a legally binding document to address the problem of plastic pollution on a global scale according to Resolution No. 5/14 adopted at the 5th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5) in Nairobi. Ms. Inger Andersen emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to address the entire life cycle of plastic, from polymers to product manufacturing to packaging and disposal, and affirmed the importance of reducing, recycling, and reusing to limit the exploitation and use of raw materials; at the same time, increasing the efficiency of resource use and ensuring the safe disposal of plastic waste to protect the ecosystem and respond to climate change. The proposed global agreement on plastic pollution aims to eliminate unnecessary and harmful plastic products, promote redesign to use less plastic and strengthen recycling and waste management systems; calls for targets, legislation, incentives and international cooperation, and highlights the role of the private sector in the transition. Ms. Inger cited Africa as an example of leading the way in reducing single-use plastics and called for embracing the “Nairobi spirit” to create a powerful and transformative tool for a better future.
On behalf of the host country, Mr. William Ruto, President of Kenya attended and spoke at the Conference. Mr. Ruto described plastic pollution as one of the serious threats to humanity, thereby emphasizing that the Negotiation Session in Nairobi will bring an opportunity to call for global cooperation to implement innovative initiatives such as reducing plastic production, programmatic access conditions, investing in solid waste management policies, and only transforming by integrating jobs, especially in the informal environment to ensure that no one is left behind in the transition from the idea of life cycle.
The host country’s President expressed confidence in the potential for effective solutions to be developed through the Agreement, calling for investment in alternatives to plastics, particularly in Africa, and underscoring the importance of innovation to address the threat of plastic pollution. President William concluded his speech with Kenya’s commitment to plant 100 million trees as part of efforts to address environmental challenges.
The Vietnamese delegation participated in the 3rd Negotiation Session chaired by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, with the participation of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, Public Security, Justice, Agriculture and Rural Development.
Participating in this Negotiation Session, the Vietnamese delegation had the opportunity to share its views on the issue of addressing plastic pollution, emphasizing the combination of recognizing the role of plastics and plastic products in society, recognizing the impact of plastic pollution on human health, the environment and livelihoods; the importance of the informal sector in this process and the need for financial, technological and capacity-building support for developing countries to better ensure their ambitious contributions to addressing plastic pollution. The delegation's representative emphasized the participation and common responsibility of countries in the context, development level and capacity of developed and developing countries are different and there should be a distinction between these countries. The proposed common view incorporates the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacities into the process of just transition, poverty reduction, intergenerational responsibility and sustainable development.
Immediately after the Plenary Opening Session, nearly a thousand delegates from nearly 170 countries will discuss the content of the Agreement in the Contact Groups based on the zero draft of the Agreement and the Summary Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. Previously, on November 11, 2023, countries held a preparatory meeting to give their opinions on the contents that were not discussed at the 2nd Negotiating Session.
According to the Organizing Committee, nearly 2,400 delegates from United Nations member countries and delegates from international organizations and private organizations attended the Negotiation Session in Nairobi.
Information about the Intergovernmental Negotiating Conference on the Global Compact on Plastic Pollution (INC):
In February 2022, at the fifth (extended) session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), a historic resolution 14/5 was adopted to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, with the ambition to complete negotiations by the end of 2024. This instrument must be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics.
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