Fiji has reminded negotiators participating in the third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee about the critical need to establish an internationally binding instrument addressing plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments.
Delivering Fiji’s statement at the Opening Plenary, Ambassador Amenatave Yauvoli affirmed
Fiji’s support to the United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 5/14 to end plastic pollution in order to protect human health and the environment.
“Mr. Chair, as I speak there is a Category 2 cyclone closing in on our beloved homeland. Such natural disasters exacerbate the impact of plastic pollution and increase the vulnerability of our people and our oceans,” said Fiji’s Ambassador Amena Yauvoli.
“Fiji like all other Pacific Islands Developing States import plastic and our ‘moana’ is at the receiving end of plastic pollution; the ocean that we so crucially depend on for our survival.”
Fiji is among Pacific delegations who have travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, to
amplify the One Pacific Voice calling for an end to plastic pollution for a Cleaner Pacific.
The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC3) taking place in Nairobi is the latest critical step of a journey that started in Punta del Este, Uruguay (INC1) and Paris (INC2) where the mandate was delivered for the INC Chair to prepare a zero draft of the agreement.
The Fiji Delegation led by Ambassador Amena Yauvoli is at the forefront of the negotiation to voice Fiji’s position on the Zero Draft to end plastic pollution once and for all.
Ambassador Yauvoli emphasised that the instrument should cover the full lifespan of plastics from extraction and production to its end-of-life management, taking into account the disproportionate impacts of plastic pollution on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Large Ocean Small Island Developing States (LOSIDS).
Ambassador Yauvoli highlighted that the convenience obtained by utilizing plastics does not
justify large-scale and nearly irreparable contamination of the Pacific Ocean, its natural resources, the costs to the health of our people now and for generations to come.
The Fiji delegation implored fellow member states to “get on with the discussions” and progress with an ambitious, effective and equitable Instrument to end plastic pollution once and for all and ensuring that no one is left behind.
The INC3 negotiation will conclude on 20th November, 2023.
