UN Secretary-General António Guterres urges negotiators in Cali, Colombia, to create an “ambitious, credible, and just” treaty to combat plastic pollution, emphasizing the need for urgent action and recognition of waste-pickers' vital role in recycling efforts.
In a compelling address delivered in Cali, Colombia, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need for an “ambitious, credible, and just” treaty to tackle the escalating crisis of plastic pollution.
Speaking at an intergovernmental panel focused on developing a legally binding international instrument, Guterres underscored the importance of addressing the needs of communities worldwide, including the estimated 20 million waste-pickers who play a crucial role in managing plastic waste.
“We are choking on plastic,” Guterres stated, highlighting the alarming statistic that humanity produces over 460 million metric tons of plastic annually, with half of it designed for single-use. He warned that by 2050, the amount of plastic in the oceans could exceed the number of fish, calling this potential reality a grave threat to both human health and the environment.
The Secretary-General called on negotiators to finalize an agreement by the end of 2024, as reaffirmed by Member States in a recent commitment known as the Pact for the Future.
This gathering in Colombia follows a series of multilateral discussions initiated after the UN Environment Assembly’s landmark decision in 2022 to seek global solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. A fifth and potentially final meeting is scheduled for Busan, South Korea, from November 25 to December 1.
“There is a pressing need for action,” he insisted, noting that people worldwide are demanding effective solutions to the crisis. He framed the ongoing negotiations as an opportunity to showcase that multilateralism, despite its challenges, can yield positive outcomes for people and the planet.
Recognizing the crucial role of waste-pickers in managing plastic waste, Guterres highlighted their contribution to collecting approximately 60% of all plastic designated for recycling globally.
The call for a just global treaty reflects the need to consider the needs of waste-pickers and others reliant on plastic collection for their livelihoods. The landmark UN Environment Assembly resolution UNEA-5/14 acknowledges their significant contributions to collecting, sorting, and recycling plastics in numerous countries.
As countries gather in Colombia to devise a plan to combat plastic pollution, the world watches closely, hoping for meaningful and transformative agreements that prioritize both environmental sustainability and social equity.
Tensions between Iran and Israel reached a critical point as both nations clashed at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, following a sweeping Israeli strike on Iranian targets that Tehran condemned as state terrorism and a deliberate attempt to sabotage nuclear diplomacy.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeals for calm and diplomacy as Israel and Iran exchange deadly attacks, raising fears of broader regional conflict.
Azerbaijan has been officially announced as the host country for World Environment Day in 2026 during a UNEP event held on South Korea’s Jeju Island.
The United Nations Security Council is likely to vote on Wednesday, June 4, on a draft resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, according to diplomats.
The United Nations is ordering over 60 offices and agencies to submit plans to cut 20% of their staff by mid-June as part of a wide reform effort to address a serious budget gap.
In a phone call that took place on Donald Trump's 79th birthday, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed ending the "war" in the Middle East and planned prisoner swaps in Ukraine. According to reports, Putin also extended birthday wishes to his U.S. counterpart during the call.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 15th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A massive manhunt involving state police and the FBI was in full force Saturday evening for a gunman who posed as a police officer before killing a senior Democratic state assemblywoman and her husband. Governor Tim Walz has described the attack as a "politically motivated assassination."
The UK is sending extra Royal Air Force jets to the Middle East to support potential crisis situations, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed during his G7 trip to Canada.
Vietnam officially joined BRICS as its 10th partner country, announced the Brazilian Foreign Ministry.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned U.S. immigration raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, calling for reforms instead of enforcement.
Israel’s military says it has identified the body of top Hamas commander Mohammed Sinwar beneath a hospital in southern Gaza.
An Air India flight with 242 passengers on board crashed in Meghaninagar, close to Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat, on Thursday afternoon.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, has announced a record £2.5 billion in additional funding this week to advance the development of the world’s first fusion power plant.
A historic May heat wave pushed Greenland’s ice melt to 17 times its average rate and sent Iceland’s temperatures soaring to record-breaking highs, raising urgent alarms about Arctic climate vulnerability.
Climate change could slash over 5% from Italy’s GDP by 2050 if no action is taken, according to the national budget watchdog, highlighting the urgent need for global emissions cuts.
At least seven people have died and several schoolchildren are missing after heavy rain and snow triggered flooding in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and southern regions, officials said Tuesday.
A new study warns that the emperor penguin population in Antarctica is shrinking faster than expected, with numbers falling by 22% over 15 years due to climate change and unstable sea ice.
In a phone call that took place on Donald Trump's 79th birthday, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed ending the "war" in the Middle East and planned prisoner swaps in Ukraine. According to reports, Putin also extended birthday wishes to his U.S. counterpart during the call.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 15th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A massive manhunt involving state police and the FBI was in full force Saturday evening for a gunman who posed as a police officer before killing a senior Democratic state assemblywoman and her husband. Governor Tim Walz has described the attack as a "politically motivated assassination."
The UK is sending extra Royal Air Force jets to the Middle East to support potential crisis situations, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed during his G7 trip to Canada.
Vietnam officially joined BRICS as its 10th partner country, announced the Brazilian Foreign Ministry.
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