Global Plastic Pollution: Deputy U.S Assistant Secretary for Environment John Thompson to address issue in Korea
Plastic waste is becoming a problem around the world and 170 countries intend to officially address the issue at a meeting in South Korea.
The United States’ Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs John Thompson is leading the U.S. delegation to the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution in Busan.
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution (INC-5) is taking place in the Republic of Korea, from the 25th of November to the 1st of December, 2024 at the Busan Metropolitan City.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Thompson will be joined by State Department and interagency representatives, including negotiators and senior experts from across the United States’ government agencies and offices.
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution (INC-5) brings together representatives from more than 175 countries with the goal to finalize the text of a new international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution is a global problem that affects the environment, biodiversity, health, food security, and economies.
Plastic production has sharply increased over the last 70 years. In 1950, the world produced just two million tonnes of plastic, according to figures from ‘Our World in Data.’
At the moment the world churns out more than 450 million tonnes of plastic.
According to the official statement from the Department of State, the U.S intends to be part of the solution to the plastic pollution crisis, and the delegation from the United States is committed to securing an effective instrument at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution in Korea.
Participants will discuss and ponder issues with meaningful and feasible universal obligations throughout the plastics lifecycle, including production, consumption, and waste.
“It is important that the instrument be sufficiently flexible to allow broad participation by countries and ambitious enough to achieve meaningful outcomes,” reads part of the statement.