The South Asian Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), led by Director General Ms. Rokeya Khaton and her team of delegates, participated in the third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) in Nairobi, Kenya. This initiative, aimed at crafting an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, particularly its impact on marine environments, unfolded on November 13, 2023, with the opening by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.
As an organization dedicated to fostering regional cooperation for environmental protection and enhancement in South Asia, SACEP’s engagement in INC-3 underscores its commitment to addressing global environmental challenges. Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, set the stage for substantive discussions and collaborative efforts to combat the urgent issue of plastic pollution during the event.
Amid the INC-3 proceedings, a crucial Stocktaking Plenary on November 16, 2023, assessed progress in revising the Zero Draft text of the International Legally Binding Instrument. Representing SACEP as an Intergovernmental Organization, Ms. Rokeya Khaton delivered a statement, emphasizing the significance of the “Plastic-Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia” project. Ms. Khaton stressed that the operationalization of the Instrument relies on well-structured institutional arrangements and recommended the inclusion of Regional IGOs, like SACEP, in implementing mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of the instruments. This proactive involvement underscores SACEP’s dedication to ensuring the success of global initiatives addressing plastic pollution and marine conservation.
