Embassy of Pakistan, Paris
Press Release
Paris; May 27, 2023
Senator Sherry Rehman, Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Management represented Pakistan in the High Level Event (HLE) to End Plastic Pollution hosted by the French Government at UNESCO, Paris on 27 May 2023, ahead of the second session of the Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
Minister Rehman elaborated Pakistan’s perspective on promoting sustainable use of plastics to achieve a circular economy by minimizing waste, reducing consumption and promoting the reuse, recycling and recovery of materials.
The Minister stressed the need to create opportunities for investment in sustainable technologies to address environmental and health impacts related to plastic pollution. In this regard, she underlined the importance of transfer of technology to developing countries.
Speaking as a Panelist at Leadership Dialogue during the High Level Event, the Minister called for concrete, real and comprehensive action driven by better compliance to address plastic pollution. She underlined that recycling alone would not solve the problem. Greater focus was required on collection. There was also a need to introduce anti-dumping penalties. It was also important for the MNCs to assume responsibility. The Minister called for enhanced R&D on alternatives to retail use plastic for safe, lightweight and affordable options.
The Minister underlined a 7 R (Reduce Redesign Re-use Recycle Responsibility Research Resource) Action Agenda.
On the sidelines of the HLE, Minister Sherry Rehman also held meeting with Mr. Christophe Béchu, Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion of France, besides interactions with several of her counterparts including from Norway, Ecuador, Romania and Antigua and Barbuda. She also met INC Chair Mr. Meza-Cuadra Gustavo of Peru.
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