DAILY TRUST
World leaders and environmentalists have chosen the 2024 Earth Day to negotiate and proffer solutions to end plastic pollution.
Earth Day, which is marked every April 22, reminds the world about the importance of environment conservation and sustainability, encouraging the coming together to take action for a healthier planet and brighter future. The day raises awareness and inspires change, fostering a deep connection with nature.
This year’s theme: “Planet vs Plastic”, coincided with the Fourth Session of the Inter-Governmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, where delegates from 174 countries have gathered in the Canadian capital of Ottawa to chat the way forward.
The event, which started on April 23 will end on April 29, and is the meeting before negotiations are expected to conclude later this year.
The Executive Secretary of INC for Plastic Pollution, Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, said both people and the planet were suffering profoundly from the effects of plastic pollution, hence that the negotiating session was pivotal.
She said, “It is an opportunity to make significant progress for a robust agreement that would allow future generations to live in a world free of plastic pollution.”
