WHAT:          High-Level Side Event on “Plastic Pollution Solutions for Development in Africa
 
DATE:           Wednesday, 28th August 2019 

TIME:           15:30 p.m.

WHO:            African First Ladies

WHERE:      Annex Hall; Room number F201, Pacifico Yokohama, Japan 

BACKGROUND: 

The Commission in collaboration with the UN Environment is organizing a High-level side for the African First Ladies on the theme: “Plastic Pollution Solutions for Development in Africa.” The High-level side event is on the implementation of the Communique adopted by the African First Ladies at the High Level side event on Banning Plastics Towards a Pollution-free Africa Campaign held on 10th February 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the margin of the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union. The African First Ladies committed in the Addis Ababa Communique to use various avenues and platforms to advocate banning of plastics. 

Plastics affect all biological spectrum, including posing risks to human health and wildlife. The African Union is concerned with the increasing pollution especially in the major cities of Africa. The world is swamped by harmful plastic waste; an estimated   8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the oceans. If the present trend continues, by 2050 our oceans will have more plastics than fish. 

Africa has already made traction in addressing plastic pollution, with 13 African countries having banned the use of plastics and are promoting the use of alternatives such as biodegradable bags. However, many people still use plastic bags illegally hence the effectiveness of the bans and taxes are not visible on the ground in many African countries. 

Progress has also been made at continental and global level, with the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) at their 2017 meeting held in Libreville, Gabon, urging African Countries to reduce all forms of pollution including waste and chemicals in line with the Bamako Convention. In the same vein, the United Nations Environment Assembly Declaration of December 2017 called for a Pollution-free Planet and adopted a resolution which invites relevant international and regional organizations and conventions to increase their action to prevent and reduce marine litter and micro plastics and their harmful effects, and coordinate where appropriate to achieve this end.

OBJECTIVES:    

The objectives are to:

•  Increase advocacy on banning of Plastics in the African continent.
• Raise awareness.
• Increase sensitization of the African populace.
• Share experience and best practices within and outside Africa. Latin America.
• Define a strategic action plan on Plastic Pollution Solutions. 

Others participants include the Heads of Delegations attending the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD); African institutions: African Union Commission; NEPAD; African Development Bank; UN Economic Commission for Africa; Regional Economic Communities; Development Partners and the Japanese Private Sector.

Journalists are invited to cover the event on 28th August 2019 from 3:30 p.m. at the Annex Hall; Room number F201, Pacifico, Yokohama, Japan. 

Janet Faith Adhiambo Ochieng | Communications Officer- Agenda 2063  | African Union Commission I E-mail: ochiengj@african-union.org For media inquiries contact: 

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
For further information: Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I 
Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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