WYCJ Statement to the intergovernmental negotiating committee on plastic pollution
World’s Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ) is a global youth movement taking climate change to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
We welcome the process being undertaken by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution convened by different stakeholders in Nairobi, Kenya, from 13 to 17 November 2023. This process was mandated by the UN Environment Assembly in 2022, by adopting a resolution to end plastic pollution.
Understanding that the plastic pollution is an environmental, social and human rights problem, WYCJ calls upon all stakeholders that are participating in this process to ensure that:
The legal instrument recognises and protects human rights and creates a sustainable environment for the benefit of present and future generations.
Our planet is legally protected to preserve natural resources in a sustainable manner, including strict sustainable consumption.
The legal instrument provides provision on which all States will be mandated to taking action to address plastic pollution, and action to respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, in particular the right to health, the right to development, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations, as well as gender and racial equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity;
The outcomes of this conference recognises the interlinkages between the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
The outcomes provide incentives discouraging investment in plastic production and support the transition to plastic alternatives.
Peter Bulimo (Kenya): "The plastic problem is deeply rooted with systemic and system-wide complexities. It's time global leaders at the 3rd session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastics course correct and redeem themselves by delivering an international legally binding instrument that will foster drastic reduction and eventual phase-out of the plastic menace."
Taofeeq Alatise (Nigeria): "The science is clear - plastic pollution constitutes a threat to human health and the environment. I call on State parties to take necessary measures to end plastic pollution and protect the present and future generations."
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Contact:
Mr Khulekani Magwaza
WYCJ African Front Coordinator
