Geneva: The State of Qatar participated in the meetings of the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC 5.2) in Geneva. The meetings discussed ways to develop an international legally binding instrument to address plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
According to Qatar News Agency, during the high-level meeting of the INC, Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Yousef Al Hamar discussed Qatar's efforts in environmental conservation and its initiatives to recycle plastics and mitigate their impacts, enhancing the balance between environmental protection and economic and social development requirements.
Al Hamar emphasized the importance of converging positions among member states to reach a comprehensive and balanced agreement that considers the national interests of various countries and achieves tangible benefits for all peoples. He stressed Qatar's readiness to participate effectively and constructively in the negotiations.
He affirmed the State of Qatar's commitment to preserving the environment and conserving its natural resources, believing that protecting the environment is a collective responsibility requiring international cooperation and integrated efforts. He pointed out that Qatar has embodied this commitment by joining numerous international treaties and conventions and implementing its obligations according to the highest standards.
He indicated that Qatar has made combating plastic pollution a priority in its national policies by strengthening programs to reduce plastic waste, encouraging recycling, and supporting innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Director of the Hazardous Chemicals and Waste Management Department at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Mohammed Al Shammari emphasized that Qatar's participation in these international negotiations reflects its balanced position on the importance of reaching a practical agreement that considers the national circumstances of different countries and achieves the interests of current and future generations. He noted Qatar's readiness to continue working with international partners in a spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility to preserve our planet for future generations.
The meetings were preceded by preparatory sessions for the regional groups (Asia and the Pacific, the Arab Group, and the Like-Minded Group of Countries), where they discussed ways to cooperate and coordinate positions on mechanisms to end plastic pollution.