-More than 2,500 delegates participated in the INC-4 representing 170 Members and over 480 Observer organizations including non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, and UN entities;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4), concluded in Ottawa with an advanced draft text of the instrument and agreement on intersessional work ahead of the fifth session (INC-5) in November.
According to a press release from the UNEP-news desk, more than 2,500 delegates participated in INC-4, representing 170 Members and over 480 Observer organizations including non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, and UN entities.
The INC-4 marked the Committee’s largest and most inclusive gathering to date, with Observer participation increasing by almost fifty per cent.
Over the course of INC-4, delegates worked on negotiating the Revised Draft Text of the international legally binding instrument and discussed, among other things the emissions and releases, production in product design, waste management in problematic and avoidable plastics, financing and a just transition.
INC Members also agreed on inter sessional work expert meetings that take place between the official INC sessions which is expected to catalyze convergence on key issues.
In addition, Members decided to create an Open-ended Legal Drafting Group to form at INC-5, serving in an advisory capacity by reviewing elements of the draft revised text to ensure legal soundness.
Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Inger Andersen said that they came to Ottawa to advance the text and with the hope that Members would agree on the intersessional work required to make even greater progress ahead of INC-5.
“We leave Ottawa having achieved both goals and a clear path to landing an ambitious deal in Busan ahead of us. The work, however, is far from over. The plastic pollution crisis continues to engulf the world and we have just a few months left before the end of year deadline agreed upon in 2022. I urge members to show continued commitment and flexibility to achieve maximum ambition, “said Andersen.
The fourth session follows INC-1 in Punta del Este in November 2022, INC-2 in Paris in May/June 2023, and INC-3 in Nairobi in November 2023.
INC-5 set to be the end of the INC process is scheduled for November 2024 in Busan, the Republic of Korea.
Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said, “We are doing everything we can to raise the international profile of the plastic pollution crisis so that the agreement gets the global attention it deserves to cross the finish line.“Canada is committed to reaching a final agreement at INC-5 in the Republic of Korea before year end. We are no longer talking about “if” we can get there, but “how.” Together we can land one of the most significant environmental decisions since the Paris Agreement and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.”
The Chair of the INC, Ambassador Luis Vayas said, “During these seven days of intense deliberations, you the delegates have managed to build on and advance the revised draft text of the instrument, providing streamlined text and entering textual negotiations on several elements. At the same time, we also leave with a much clearer picture of the work that remains to be done, if we are to deliver on the promise that Members have made through UNEA Resolution 5/14.”
The Ambassador said that they are all united by their strong shared commitment to deliver an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution.
“It is this spirit of multilateralism which has guided our discussions here in Ottawa. We have found some common ground, and we are walking this path together until the end. I firmly believe that we can carry this same spirit forth to Busan to deliver on our mandate, “said Vayas.
Ambassador Vayas thanked the Government of Canada for hosting the session, as well as the Committee Members, Observers, co-facilitators, support staff, and the INC Secretariat, and his team.
Executive Secretary of the INC Secretariat Jyoti Mathur-Filipp said, “It has been an ambitious timeline of just 18 months and four sessions to get us to this point, and we are now firmly on the road to Busan. Compromise and commitment remain strong at this advanced stage of the negotiations. Members should arrive in Busan ready to deliver on their mandate and agree a final text of the instrument. This is more than a process and it is the fulfilment of your commitment to saving future generations from the global scourge of plastic pollution.”
ENDS;
NOTE;
WANT YOUR GOLF, SPORTS, BUSINESS, ROTARY, ENVIRONMENT, OPINIONS OR SPONSORED RELATED CONTENTS PUBLISHED ON THIS SITE?
-YOU HAVE AN ADVERT FOR THE VISIBILITY OF YOUR BUSINESS OR ANY EVENT?
KINDLY SHARE TO;
mmaarufu@gmail.com/golfnewslinks@gmail.com
Phone/What’s up…+254726614604/+254722415598.
