On 15 February, the Global Cities Hub organized an informative webinar to inform local and regional governments (LRGs) about the upcoming negotiation round (4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, INC-4) on the new UN plastic pollution treaty that will take place in Ottawa, Canada (23-28 April 2024).
Together with Ecuador (Chair of the INC-4 and INC-5, as well as a negotiating State), the Geneva Environment Network and ICLEI, the GCH referred to ways and means for LRGs to take part in the process and influence States, which lead the negotiations at the UN. At the end of the day, LRGs will have to implement the treaty. Thus, taking part in the international negotiations will only ensure better implementation on the ground!
While LRGs cannot get accreditation in their own capacity to take part in the upcoming INC-4, they might however take part in the process through their national delegations or through city networks or public universities, which are granted with observer status. More importantly, LRGs should make their voices heard ahead of the negotiations to influence them. One effective way to do it is to join the coalition of LRGs envisaged by ICLEI, GCH and other partners (more information will follow, stay tuned!).
While the current draft treaty on plastic pollution does include some references and language relevant for, that is far from being satisfactory, in the view of GCH and ICLEI. Both will continue to closely follow the negotiation and interested LRGs are invited to send their views and comments the GCH or to ICLEI.
Read here the position paper by GCH on the current draft text on plastic pollution.
