EPA Hosts National Workshop to Prepare for Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations

November 2, 2024

The Environment Protection Agency of Sierra Leone recently organized a National Stakeholders Consultation Workshop in collaboration with AFRIPAC to discuss the country's stance ahead of the upcoming Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC-5) on the Global Plastic Treaty. The workshop took place at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.

Prior to this event, an inter-sessional meeting focused on several important issues, including setting up a financial framework, conducting policy and legislative assessments, and exploring the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model to guide the treaty’s implementation within Sierra Leone's legal framework.

Given the country’s significant plastic consumption, the workshop addressed the urgent need to tackle plastic pollution, which poses serious threats to public health and the environment. Participants highlighted the potential socio-economic and political impacts of a single-use plastic ban and discussed the technological and resource requirements for creating sustainable alternatives.

During discussions, attendees proposed practical steps to transition gradually towards reduced plastic use, with a focus on safeguarding marine ecosystems. The workshop included representatives from the security sector, recycling industry, government ministries, the media, and civil society groups, all of whom shared insights and suggestions to support the INC-5 goals.

As the next INC-5 meeting approaches, Sierra Leone's input will reflect these collective efforts, aiming to make a meaningful contribution toward a global strategy for managing plastic pollution.