Abstract
Environmental plastic pollution requires an urgent global response. The United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) has adopted resolutions on marine litter and microplastics at each of its first three meetings. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has undertaken studies on marine litter and microplastics, building on existing work and taking into account the most up-to-date studies and data. It has also, conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of relevant international, regional and subregional governance strategies and approaches to combat marine plastic litter and microplastics. Under the Basel Convention, the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, to be held in May 2019, will consider the proposed amendments to Annexes to the Convention with an intention to clarify the scope of the plastic wastes covered under the Convention. Points that still need further consideration include : the establishment of a new partnership on plastic wastes ; financial and technical assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition to address plastic waste, cooperation and coordination among related international organizations and regional agreements ; public awareness, education and in formation exchange ; development of technical guidelines ; possible future assessment of the effectiveness of the measures taken under the Convention ; support for innovation, research and development and gathering scientific evidence to inform policy decisions.
