Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Time: 3-5 pm EDT
Venue: UN Headquarters, New York, Conference Room 5
In-person attendance by invitation only.
The event will be streamed live.
A high-level side event titled "Galvanizing Momentum for the Global Plastic Pollution Instrument" will take place on the margins of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79). This event, organized by the Government of Kenya in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to mobilize political momentum and global partnerships in the fight against plastic pollution, focusing on the development of an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution by the end of 2024.
Plastic pollution is an environmental crisis. Seven billion tonnes of plastic waste has been generated globally so far – under a business-as-usual scenario a, the flow of plastic waste into the environment will continue to rise. This side event is crucial in strengthening support and maintaining the political momentum necessary to finalise the plastic pollution instrument at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee’s fifth and final session on 25 November to 1 December, 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This event will showcase and promote best practices, innovative solutions, and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing plastic pollution and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The event will feature Heads of State and government and UN leaders, including:
- H.E. William Ruto, PhD, President of the Republic of Kenya
- H.E. Jona Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway
- Ms. Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNEP
The programme comprises of opening statements, a high-level panel discussion and Q&A session, followed by a reading summary and closing session.
This is a high-level side event on the margins of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
