By Fatima Saka
The South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy says, the banning of plastic pollution by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is welcomed as it will help protect the environment.
The minister made the statement on Thursday after the UNEA summit in Nairobi.
“South Africa welcomes the adoption of the resolution of ‘End Plastic Pollution: Toward an internationally legally binding instrument’.
“This represents an important landmark and significant decision to protect the environment and particularly our oceans that are important for food security.
“Addressing climate change, improving health and promoting sustainable development and poverty eradication,’’ said Creecy.
She further said that the member states recognised the urgent need to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
The UNEA agreed to establish an intergovernmental negotiating committee and start its work during the second half of 2022.