Press Release

October 16, 2023-

Kampala, Uganda – October 16-18, 2023 – The Africa Group of Negotiators on Plastic Pollution (AGN) is taking significant strides in shaping the global response to the plastic pollution crisis. As part of the preparation for the third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee , the AGN is organizing regional consultations at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, October 16 to 18, 2023. The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-3), is scheduled to take place from 13 to 19 November 2023 at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

The zero draft text of the international legally binding instrument, prepared by the Chair of the INC, with the support of the Secretariat, is available on https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution/session-3/documents#WorkingDocuments in the six UN official languages.

With the conclusion of INC-2 in Paris, the AGN is preparing for INC-3 by actively contributing to the development of a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. The regional consultations in Kampala will help solidify Africa’s common position and strategy for negotiation at INC-3.

Background

Plastic pollution poses severe environmental and human threats, impacting ecosystems on land and water, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, and compromising human health and livelihoods. In response to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 5/14, the AGN was established by the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) to coordinate Africa’s interests in the intergovernmental negotiating committee. The group has been working diligently to articulate the continent’s priorities, striving for unified and coordinated approaches to global plastic waste reduction.

About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

About the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee

The resolution (5/14) mandated the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the development of “the instrument,” designed to adopt a comprehensive approach covering the entire life cycle of plastic, including production, design, and disposal.

The INC embarked on its mission in the latter part of 2022, with the ambitious goal of finalizing negotiations by the end of 2024. The inaugural session of the INC (INC-1) convened in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from November 28 to December 2, 2022, followed by the second session (INC-2) held in Paris, France, from May 29 to June 2, 2023. The forthcoming third session (INC-3) is scheduled for November 13 to 19, 2023, at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

For more information, interviews, and details, please contact:

Rose Mwebaza ([email protected]), Director and Regional Representative, UNEP Africa Office

UNEP News Desk [email protected]; and

Corporate Communications Unit-

National Environment Management Authority

NEMA House Plot 17/19/21 Jinja Road

Tel. +256 414 425 168

P. O. Box 22255 Kampala Uganda

Email: [email protected]; Website: www.nema.go.ug