By: James Kamara-Manneh
In a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Grid Arendal Norway, a two-day Stakeholders Dialogue on the Revised Zero Draft of the United Nations Plastic Pollution Treaty commenced yesterday at the Atlantic Lumley Hotel in Freetown.
Addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution, Dr. Abu-Bakar Massaquoi, Executive Chairman of the EPA, highlighted the urgency of tackling this environmental crisis. Over the past decade, plastic pollution has emerged as a significant threat to the environment, necessitating immediate action. Dr. Massaquoi expressed the EPA’s commitment to providing evidence-based guidance for policy decisions and extended gratitude to Grid Arendal, IUCN, and NORAD for their unwavering support in this endeavor.
Emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the ongoing negotiations for the plastic treaty, Dr. Massaquoi envisioned its potential to revolutionize plastic waste management dynamics.
Mr. Paul A. Lamin, Director of the Natural Resources Governance Directorate, provided an overview of the workshop within the framework of AFRIPAC (Effective Capacity-Building for Global Plastic in Africa). AFRIPAC, a joint initiative by Grid Arendal and IUCN, aims to bolster technical and legal capacities in Sierra Leone to actively engage in the ongoing United Nations Plastic Treaty Negotiation.
The workshop convened stakeholders from various sectors of the plastic value chain to deliberate on the elements of the revised draft treaty. The discussions aimed to identify key issues and concerns that will shape the national position ahead of the African Group consultations and the Fourth session of the INC.
With plastic pollution posing a growing threat to ecosystems worldwide, the dialogue underscores the critical need for concerted global efforts to address this pressing environmental challenge. As stakeholders converge to deliberate on the revised draft treaty, hopes are high for meaningful progress towards a more sustainable future.