What you need to know about the plastic pollution resolution

Published on May 25, 2022

Today, the gavel came down on a historic resolution at the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in Nairobi to end plastic pollution and forge an international legally binding agreement by 2024.

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Heads of State, Ministers of environment and other representatives from UN Member States endorsed this landmark agreement that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic from source to sea. Plastic production has risen exponentially in the last decades and now amounts to some 400 million tons per year– a figure set to double by 2040.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said the agreement is the most important international multilateral environmental deal since the Paris climate accord.

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UNEA President brings down the gavel on the resolution. Photo: UNEP
The adoption receives a standing ovation. Photo: UNEP
An emotional reaction in the crowd. Photo: UNEP
Delegates embrace each after the historic announcement. Photo: UNEP
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