The INC-5 meeting is scheduled to run from November 25 to December 1, 2024, at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center.
In a statement ahead of the gathering, Rwanda, as co-chair of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, reaffirmed its commitment to championing a comprehensive treaty that addresses the root causes of plastic pollution and emphasizes accountability.
'Rwanda is calling for ambitious, just, and enforceable global rules to end plastic pollution and safeguard the health of people and the planet,' reads the statement in part.
Rwanda seeks a treaty that encompasses the entire lifecycle of plastic, setting global targets to reduce plastic production to sustainable levels, promoting sustainable alternatives, and fostering vibrant circular economies. The country also stresses the need for legally binding commitments, robust monitoring mechanisms, and accountability frameworks to ensure effective implementation and meaningful progress.
Rwanda is advocating for a start-and-strengthen approach, which would allow for increasing ambition over time. The treaty must also protect and empower the most affected communities while ensuring a just transition for waste pickers and informal workers who play vital roles in managing plastic waste.
Additionally, Rwanda is proposing the establishment of a dedicated Multilateral Fund capable of supporting developing countries in meeting their treaty obligations. This would be complemented by mechanisms to attract broad-based financing to address plastic pollution comprehensively.
In the negotiations, Rwanda aims to leverage its 2008 ban on plastics to inspire global action in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability.
'For two decades, Rwanda has demonstrated its commitment to tackling plastic pollution through bold national policies and regional leadership. We are now taking these home-grown innovations to the world,' said Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda's Minister of Environment.
'At INC-5, we call on the global community to unite behind an ambitious and enforceable treaty that delivers a future free from plastic pollution,' she added.
The ban which prohibits the production, sale, and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags and packaging in Rwanda has had significant positive impacts, including cleaner streets, a boost in tourism, and enhanced environmental protection. Kigali, Rwanda's capital, has earned recognition as the cleanest city in Africa as a result of these measures.
As the INC-5 negotiations mark the final stage of the treaty development process, Rwanda is urging all stakeholders to seize this historic moment to secure an agreement that safeguards humanity and nature.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
