Experts Emphasize Urgency of Global Cooperation on Plastic Pollution 

News Desk 

Islamabad: Speakers at an event on Tuesday highlighted the vital importance of implementing a unified global strategy to tackle the problem of plastic waste. 

They stressed the significance of not only addressing the sources of plastic waste but also adopting a holistic approach.

The event, titled “Pakistan’s Roadmap for Plastic Action,” took place in Islamabad on Tuesday. Participants also emphasized the urgent necessity of combating plastic pollution for the sake of both human welfare and environmental health.

Executive Director, COMSATS (Headquarters), Ambassador Dr  Nafees Zakaria said that while enacting legislation and policy measures are commendable steps, the true challenge lies in their execution amidst resistance from pressure and interest groups. 

Dr Zakaria pointed out that our planet is not only grappling with plastic-related pollution but also facing a myriad of other man-made hazards contributing to climate change and environmental degradation.

Of particular concern is the often-overlooked impact of military activities and motivated imposed wars, which have yet to be addressed in international conventions and protocols. 

He stressed the urgent need for initiatives and innovations, supported by scientific solutions, from advocates for our planet Earth.

The event was organized by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), to mark Earth Day 2024. 

Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Climate Change and Environmental Conservation (CC&EC), Romina Khurshid Alam emphasized Pakistan’s pressing issue with plastic pollution, especially in urban areas.

Owing to these daunting challenges, Pakistan has taken proactive steps, such as banning single-use plastics and polythene bags in 2019, to mitigate plastic waste generation.

She stressed the importance of global cooperation in combating plastic pollution, citing initiatives like the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) led by the World Economic Forum and UNEP.

She highlighted the government commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation through policies like the National Adaptation Plan and initiatives such as the Living Indus Initiative, Recharge Pakistan, and GLOF-II, which aim to enhance climate resilience and protect vulnerable sectors of the economy and ecosystems.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov expressed hope that hosting COP29 in Azerbaijan will inject new momentum into climate action and international collaboration, furthering the objectives of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. 

He underscored the importance of collective action among various stakeholders, including countries, international organizations, financial institutions, and the private sector, to deliver meaningful outcomes at COP29. 

During the event, the NPAP team presented the NPAP roadmap for Plastic Action in Pakistan that will serve as a pivotal hub for concerted action and innovative initiatives within the sector, fostering tangible and enduring outcomes. 

NPAP will bring together Pakistan’s foremost policymakers, business figures, and civil society organizations to forge a unified approach. 

The program entails several key components such as crafting national action partnerships that engage the multi-stakeholder, deemed crucial for shaping a circular plastics economy and developing comprehensive roadmaps, informed by top-tier analysis, to facilitate the realization of national objectives.