Nairobi – Canada is working with partners around the world to take real and sustained action on the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution. TSteven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, wrapped up Canada’s participation in the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Minister met with the President of Kenya, Dr William Ruto, where both countries shared common ambitions on plastic pollution, climate change, and biodiversity. They discussed opportunities to deepen the important bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Minister Guilbeault held meetings with environment ministers in Africa, as well as civil society, business leaders, and youth on advancing progress on climate, biodiversity, and the elimination of plastic pollution.
Canada also hosted a ministerial meeting in advance of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC-4) in Ottawa, where governments will continue negotiating an international, legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
During the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, Canada launched the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee Host Country Alliance, alongside Uruguay, France, Kenya, and the Republic of Korea, where ministers expressed their shared commitment to conclude negotiations by the end of 2024. Canada is also collaborating with other nations to develop effective strategies and solutions to this pressing environmental challenge by contributing to discussions at the High Ambition Coalition on Plastic Pollution Ministerial.
Canada is committed to concluding an ambitious global agreement by the end of this year to end plastic pollution; to paving the way for progress on biodiversity loss and nature conservation at COP16 in Colombia; and to obtaining strong outcomes to further address climate change at COP29 in Azerbaijan.
“We know the world needs to do more collectively to tackle the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution. I’m encouraged by the collaboration demonstrated at the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, especially toward developing the global agreement on plastic pollution. Canada looks forward to welcoming country delegations, partners, and stakeholders from around the world to Ottawa in April 2024 for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee to continue the ambitious work needed to achieve this united goal.” – Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Canada recognizes the pressing need for global biodiversity conservation. By empowering nature organizations, our government is working to preserve our natural heritage, while also fostering climate resilience in ecosystems around the world. There is power in collaborating to protect local communities, while working to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.” – Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development