ASH joins the Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance in attending the fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Conference (INC-4) of the United Nations Treaty to End Plastic Pollution in Ottawa, Canada from April 23 – 29, 2024. ASH’s Chief Operating Officer Liz Furgurson and Policy Director Chris Bostic will share updates and progress here for our community to stay engaged and informed.
April 24, 2024 – Today the INC broke into groups to begin the arduous task of editing the zero draft.
Even on the second day, the need for quick progress was recognized, and negotiations continued throughout the evening hours. This is when the work becomes a marathon; large delegations have the advantage of substituting to give others rest, while small delegations become increasingly sleep-deprived.
– The Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance (STPA) and Surfriders Foundation Canada unveiled the “smoked tuna” display, a transparent fish filled with thousands of cigarette butts, to emphasize one of the biggest sources of plastic pollution. Read our joint media release here>
– Yesterday, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights made a statement on the floor, calling to center the Plastics Treaty in human rights. Read their statement here>
– Panama called for the inclusion of the WHO FCTC in the preamble of the Plastics Treaty, a key goal of the STPA.
This last was a major goal of the negotiations for ASH and the STPA.
It completes the circle started at the WHO FCTC COP connecting the two treaties, and it sets the stage for the discussion of a ban on plastic tobacco products later in the week.