A groundbreaking Plastic Dialogue took place yesterday during the Fourth Clean Pacific Roundtable, aiming to tackle the pressing issue of plastic pollution. Organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) and funded by the Australian Government, the event gathered over 200 delegates.
Minister for National Resources and Agriculture, Sa’aga Talu Teafa, emphasized the severe impact of plastic pollution on Tuvalu. “Plastic pollution from ocean currents has washed up on all of our 8 islands, affecting marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and impacting our food security, economic, social, and cultural well-being,” he stated. Teafa called for strong global targets to regulate polluters, stressing that small island developing states (SIDS) like Tuvalu should not bear the cost alone.
SPREP’s Director General, Sefanaia Nawadra, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to address plastic pollution. “We must articulate a contemporary framework for action and avoid duplicating efforts,” Nawadra said. The dialogue provided a platform to revalidate national priorities and plan future actions under the Pacific Islands Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Tuvalu, Brenton Garlick, reiterated Australia’s support in the fight against plastic pollution. “Pacific Island countries are on the frontline, and Australia is committed to advocating for an ambitious international agreement on plastics,” Garlick remarked.
