NO agreement was reached during the recently concluded negotiations on the new UN Plastics Treaty in Busan, South Korea.
Following the deadlock, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is now looking towards the next treaty negotiations with the hope of reaching a conclusion to the ambitious and binding Plastics Treaty.
"We are determined in our fight against plastic pollution, for the people and the planet.
“Over 85 governments support the reduction of plastic production, regulation of chemicals of concern and a new financial mechanism to enable action in the Global South," said SAM honorary secretary Mageswari Sangaralingam.
She said Malaysia continues to be a recipient of untreated plastic waste from developed nations, especially after China withdrew permits for treating such wastes due to the extent of leftover pollution in the landfills.
Mageswari's views were shared by many civil society organisations (CSOs) involved in the global fight against plastic use, especially in developing nations.
The blockers in the fossil fuel and plastics industry will not be able to delay the movement to break free from plastic for much longer, as people across the world continue to demand action and system change, she said.
According to Hemantha Withanage, who represented Friends of the Earth International, those who block global efforts are responsible for harm caused daily by plastic pollution to human health and the environment.
Gohar Khojayan, Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment / Friends of the Earth Armenia said an agreement on a plastic production cap would make this Treaty especially unique, holding all countries to a high standard and creating a level playing field in addressing the crisis.
The Philippines-based Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) also issued a strong statement, seeking for the time that the world can put a stop to the accumulation of plastic waste. - The Vibes, December 4, 2024.
