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Rabat – A coalition of six countries, including Morocco, spearheaded a declaration at the 13th World Trade Organization (WTO) conference calling for a reduction in the trade of harmful plastics.
Australia, Barbados, China, Ecuador, Fiji, and Morocco spearheaded the declaration, highlighting the need for actions to tackle the adverse impacts of plastic pollution on the environment, health, and economy.
The initiative builds upon efforts initiated at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in June 2022. At MC12, the same group of countries, acting as coordinators of the dialogue on plastic pollution, issued a ministerial declaration outlining their commitment to review concrete measures to address plastic pollution.
This declaration also acknowledged the resolution adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly to launch negotiations for a global agreement to end plastic pollution by 2024.
The current declaration at MC13 signifies a continuation of these efforts and outlines specific actions member states can take to achieve the shared goal of reducing plastic pollution.
The Informal Dialogue on Plastic Pollution and Sustainable Plastic Trade, launched in 2020 and currently has 78 co-authors, representing a substantial portion of global trade. It aims to utilize trade as a tool to decrease plastic pollution and encourage environmentally responsible plastic trade practices.
The proposed measures include bans on single-use plastics, adopting eco-design requirements, implementing eco-labeling initiatives, and offering financial support and tax incentives for the development and utilization of sustainable and safe non-plastic alternatives.
Morocco’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ryad Mezzour, highlighted the detrimental environmental impact of single-use plastics during the conference. He emphasized the measures taken by Morocco to enhance the traceability of these products and establish a comprehensive recycling system.
Mezzour welcomed the participation of 78 countries, representing 85% of global trade, in the coalition against single-use plastic pollution, acknowledging the immense challenge it poses to the planet.
The declaration focuses on improving transparency in plastic trade flows, reducing environmental or health-hazardous plastics, and promoting the development and use of safe and sustainable non-plastic alternatives, including related services and technologies.
The WTO’s Ministerial Conferences serve as the organization’s highest decision-making body. They offer critical platforms for member states to address trade-related challenges, refine trade regulations, and establish the agenda for global trade policies.
The current conference, MC13 , is specifically focused on the rules and regulations governing global trade activities, along with fostering cooperation to achieve a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive trading system.
Additionally, MC13 aims to enhance the capacity of developing and least developed countries to participate in the global trading system, access intellectual property rights, and utilize the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism.
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