Latest news with #UNDRIP
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
In Geneva, hopes fading in final talks on plastic treaty
At the halfway point of the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) in Geneva to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, delegates have sought fast-track efforts to provide a treaty truly capable of ending plastic pollution. Also, the International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on Plastics (IIPFP) has called on governments to uphold their rights in all aspects of the treaty, as affirmed by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). At the stocktaking plenary on Saturday, delegates considered an 'assembled text' and discussed the negotiation process for the remaining four days. In Geneva, negotiators from 184 nations, including a strong delegation of Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), which continue to lead calls for a high ambition treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, are trying to hammer out the first-ever legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. The urgency of the talks was necessitated by a new study published in The Lancet that calls plastics a 'grave, growing and under-recognised danger to human and planetary health'. In 2023, global plastic production reached 436 million metric tons, while trade in plastics surpassed $1.1 trillion, accounting for five per cent of global merchandise trade. However, 75 per cent of all plastic ever produced has become waste, much of which leaks into oceans and ecosystems, says the UN Trade and Development. It says this growing imbalance threatens public health, food systems, ecosystems, and long-term development, especially in small-island and coastal nations. The average Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs on plastic and rubber products have decreased from 34 to 7.2 per cent over the past three decades, making fossil fuel-based plastics artificially inexpensive. In contrast, natural alternatives such as paper, bamboo, natural fibers, and seaweed face average MFN tariffs of 14.4 per cent. According to the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, during the discussion, delegations were united on one thing: the negotiations are moving too slowly. On this, they made several suggestions, with Colombia calling for full days of informal negotiations and the EU and China urging the INC Chair to engage in 'shuttle diplomacy' to move the text forward. Many others were concerned about the 'unchecked' expansion of the text, with Fiji calling for a time-bound process to streamline the text. Several delegations called for a dedicated discussion on scope. Despite Indigenous Peoples' record attendance, an analysis by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) reveals the disproportionate influence of polluting industries on these negotiations. At least 234 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists, a new high compared to the 221 identified by CIEL at INC-5, have registered to participate in the fifth and final scheduled session of the INC-5.2 of the plastics treaty negotiations. It says the strong presence of lobbyists at this stage of the negotiations raises concerns about corporate influence at a pivotal moment, when negotiators are expected to finalise the treaty text and lay the groundwork for its adoption. In a written statement submitted to the plenary, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), representing the interests of the 39 small island and low-lying coastal developing states, made a firm call for a treaty rooted in accountability, ambition, and action. The underway negotiations follow INC-5, which took place in November-December 2024 in Busan in Korea. That meeting was preceded by four previous sessions: INC-1, which took place in Punta del Este in November 2022, INC-2, which was held in Paris in June 2023, INC-3, which happened in Nairobi in November 2023, and INC-4, held in Ottawa in April 2024. 'Plastic pollution is already in nature, in our oceans and even in our bodies. If we continue on this trajectory, the whole world will be drowning in plastic pollution -- with massive consequences for our planetary, economic and human health,' said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. 'But this does not have to be our future. Together, we can solve this challenge. Agreeing on a treaty text is the first step to beating plastic pollution for everyone, everywhere,' Andersen said. Since Busan, in the run-up to INC-5.2, a series of informal ministerial meetings, regional consultations, and heads of delegations meetings have taken place. 'We are here today to fulfil an international mandate. This is a unique and historic opportunity for the international community to bridge differences and find common ground. It is not just a test of our diplomacy -- it is a test of our collective responsibility to protect the environment, safeguard human health, enable sustainable economies, and stand in solidarity with those most affected by this plastic pollution crisis,' said Luis Vayas Valdivieso, Chair of the INC. As of the opening day on August 4, more than 3,700 participants had registered to participate in INC-5.2, representing 184 countries and over 619 observer organisations.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Canada pushing to include Indigenous rights in United Nations plastics treaty
OTTAWA — Canada is pushing to bring language recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples back into a United Nations plastics pollution treaty. Delegates from more than 170 countries are in Geneva to resume negotiations on a treaty that was supposed to be finalized last year. Countries are at odds on how far the legally binding agreement should go, with many nations opposing caps on plastic production. Following negotiations in South Korea in November, which ended without an agreement, the draft version of the treaty removed references to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Canada, with the backing of 45 other countries, presented a proposal Tuesday to put UNDRIP language back in to the treaty. Scientists estimate the world disposes of more than 350 million tonnes of plastic every year, with less than one-tenth being recycled and more than one-fifth ending up in the environment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2025. Nick Murray, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada pushing to include Indigenous rights in United Nations plastics treaty
OTTAWA – Canada is pushing to bring language recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples back into a United Nations plastics pollution treaty. Delegates from more than 170 countries are in Geneva to resume negotiations on a treaty that was supposed to be finalized last year. Countries are at odds on how far the legally binding agreement should go, with many nations opposing caps on plastic production. Following negotiations in South Korea in November, which ended without an agreement, the draft version of the treaty removed references to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Canada, with the backing of 45 other countries, presented a proposal Tuesday to put UNDRIP language back in to the treaty. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Scientists estimate the world disposes of more than 350 million tonnes of plastic every year, with less than one-tenth being recycled and more than one-fifth ending up in the environment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2025.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Women street vendors in Mizoram seek viable space before relocation
Aizawl: 'Mahni Thlai Thar Zuar Pawl' — an association of women who sell vegetables they grow themselves — has urged the Mizoram govt and the general public not to ignore their right to livelihood while addressing traffic congestion and street cleanliness in Aizawl. In a press statement issued on Monday, the group acknowledged the growing concerns over roadside parking, construction materials encroaching upon footpaths, and illegal vending. While they supported efforts to make Aizawl a cleaner and less congested city, they expressed concern that calls to remove all street vendors might unfairly target poor rural women who depend on city vending for survival. "We, who bring fresh produce grown in our villages, also want a clean and orderly city," the association said, adding, "However, if the govt fails to provide us with suitable alternative spaces and pushes us into cramped corners of the New Market building as if we were goods to be stashed away, our livelihood will suffer." The group argued that such forced relocation, without a viable alternative, could amount to a violation of their right to livelihood under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. They further pointed out that Mizoram Assembly had endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which recognises the rights of indigenous communities to pursue traditional means of livelihood.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ZoRo slams India, Myanmar, B'desh govts for ‘UNDRIP violations'
1 2 Aizawl: A six-member delegation of the Zo Reunification Organisation (ZoRO), attending the 18th Expert Mechanism On The Rights Of Indigenous People session in Geneva, accused India, Myanmar and Bangladesh govts of violating the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) 2007 despite being signatories to the declaration. The session held from Monday to Friday saw participation from 777 delegates representing indigenous communities across various countries. Nine major agenda items concerning indigenous rights were discussed. Representing the Zohnam (Zo ethnic tribes), ZoRO addressed Agenda Item No 11 titled 'Proposals to be submitted to the Human Rights Council for its consideration and approval'. It submitted a memorandum detailing the challenges faced by the Zo people. Speaking at the session, ZoRo general secretary Lalnunfela Chawngthu said: "India, Myanmar and Bangladesh are signatories to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007. However, their current practices grossly violate the Declaration."
