End plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument.

The United Nations Environment Assembly.

Noting with concern that the high and rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution represent a serious environmental problem at a global scale, negatively impacting the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

Recognizing that plastic pollution includes microplastics.

Noting with concern the specific impact of plastic pollution on the marine environment.

Noting that plastic pollution, in marine and other environments, can be of a transboundary nature and needs to be tackled, together with its impacts, through a full-life-cycle approach, taking into account national circumstances and capabilities.

Reaffirming General Assembly resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, by which the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Reaffirming also the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, adopted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.

Stressing the urgent need to strengthen the science-policy interface at all levels, improve understanding of the global impact of plastic pollution on the environment, and promote effective and progressive action at the local, regional and global levels, recognizing the important role played by plastics in society.

Recalling United Nations Environment Assembly resolutions 1/6, 2/11, 3/7, 4/6, 4/7 and 4/91 and affirming the urgent need to strengthen global coordination, cooperation and governance to take immediate action towards the long-term elimination of plastic pollution in marine and other environments, and to avoid detriment from plastic pollution to ecosystems and the human activities dependent on them.

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