WWF Urges Africa’s Environment Ministers, To Show Strong Commitment To Plastic Pollution Treaty, And Strive To Speak With One Voice In International Negotiations

WWF has urged Ministers in charge of Environment in the different African countries, to manifest strong commitment to developing an AMBITIOUS, EFFECTIVE and JUST GLOBLAL PLASTIC POLLUITION TREATY, as well as try to resolve any internal differences within the African group, so as to ENSURE THAT AFRICA  HAS A STRONG COHESIVE VOICE IN INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS. The Pollution Treaty represents a very important step in the elimination of the most harmful plastics and associated chemicals, and to securing a robust financial package to support its implementation.

This WWF’s call is contained in a September 1, 2024 press release issued in Abidjan, Ivory Coast by the reputed independent conservation organization with an active global network, as Africa’s Environment Ministers meet in that West African country to discuss the continent’s pressing environmental issues.  The ministers are meeting in the 10^th special session of the Africa Ministerial Conference on the Environment, AMCEN.

A Decisive Moment For Africa

WWF in the press release points out that the 10^th special session of Africa Ministerial Conference on the Environment, is holding at a decisive moment for the continent to assert its leadership and secure its environmental future , as the meeting comes in prelude to very important global events in the horizon.  In this light, WWF encourages the Africa’s Environment Ministers meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to strive to present a united front in the lead-up to the firth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution Treaty scheduled for December 2024 in Busan, South Korea.

The Head of Policy and Partnership at WWF Africa, LAURENT SOME, asserts that: “As the continent most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Africa requires substantial financial adaptation and mitigation strategies”.  He adds that WWF thus urges African governments to push for the fulfillment of climate finance commitments at COP 29, to ensure that Africa can meet its climate goals and protect its vulnerable communities. “Africa stands at a crucial juncture, and AMCEN 2024 is an opportunity for our leaders to demonstrate their resolve in ending plastic pollution and securing the climate finance essential for the continent’s future. This is not just about policy – it’s about the survival of our people and our planet”, the Head of Policy and Partnership at WWF Africa, further emphasizes.

Land Degradation, Desertification And Drought

The WWF press release also states that the Ministers of Environment of the different African countries will at the 10^tth special session of AMCED, holding in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, also address the urgent issues of land degradation, desertification, and drought. “Minister and other stakeholders will discuss innovative strategy to sustain momentum on these critical challenges and provide guidance for upcoming global policy events, including the 16^th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCN) in Saudi Arabia in December 2024. The outcomes of these discussions will be crucial in shaping Africa’s approach to combating land degradation and ensuring the resilience of its landscape”, further states the WWF press release sent to The Mentor News by the Manager, Communication, Congo Basin/ WWF International, Fidelis PEGUE MANGA, former Director of Communication at WWF Cameroon.

Worthy of note that : “WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s Natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption”.