THE PHILIPPINES TAKES PART IN LANDMARK AGREEMENT TO END PLASTIC POLLUTION IN UNEA-5.2

Philippine Permanent Representative to UNEP H.E. Marie Charlotte G. Tang (rightmost) during the standing ovation upon the adoption of the UNEA resolution, “End of plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument” on 2 March 2022 

Nairobi – The Philippines joined other countries in adopting the historic resolution to end plastic pollution at theresumed session of the fifth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in Nairobi on 28 February – 2 March 2022.

The resolution starts the process to craft an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution, addressing the full lifecycle of plastic products, from production, design to disposal.  The resolution targets 2024 as the date of completion of the new agreement.

Held back-to-back with UNEA-5.2 was the UNEP@50 Special Session marking 50 years of the work on the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The two events saw the attendance of 3,000 in-person and 1,500 online participants from 175 UN Member States, including Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, other African Heads of State, environment ministers and other high-level officials.

UNEA-5.2 adopted a total of 14 resolutions, two declarations and one decision on a wide range of environmental issues.  

The UNEP is the world’s global authority that sets the environment agenda and works with 193 Member States, representatives from civil society, businesses and other major groups and stakeholders.  It is based in Nairobi, at the only UN headquarters in the global south.

The next session of UNEA, UNEA-6, will be held in 2024 in Nairobi.