We are deeply concerned about the widespread and devastating impacts of plastic pollution. We have all seen the footage of marine animals entangled in it, or with stomachs full of it. We have seen rivers choke on it, and children’s playgrounds surrounded by it. We have heard how it can be found in all corners of the world, in the deepest ocean, on remote, uninhabited islands and even in the Arctic.

Plastic is everywhere on our planet. It is a global problem in need of a global solution. We have the responsibility to raise the awareness of this issue to all UN member states and to take the necessary steps to prevent and reduce plastic from ending up in our environment. We urge all States to join us in combatting plastic pollution, by committing to work towards a new legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution and adopt a mandate for an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee at UNEA5.2

Furthermore, we encourage all States to take part in the first, ever global Ministerial conference on marine litter and plastic pollution, which will be co-convened by Ecuador, Germany, Ghana and Viet Nam in September.