Steffi Lemke in Canada to negotiate UN agreement to combat plastic pollution

On 20 April, Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke will travel to Ottawa, Canada, for negotiations on the global UN agreement to combat plastic pollution. This legally binding international instrument is set to make a major contribution to keeping the oceans cleaner in future and to reducing plastic pollution in general. The pollution of oceans and other ecosystems with plastic is a massive environmental problem that is not only causing significant harm to animals and plants, but also to humans. The agreement will consider the entire life cycle of plastic products, including their manufacturing and avoiding their use. Microplastics and the problems they create in the environment will also be addressed, alongside approaches for sustainable circular economy. Ottawa will host the 4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), the group developing this agreement. The session will be preceded by a high-level ministerial meeting. The negotiations for a global instrument on plastic pollution are scheduled to conclude at the end of 2024. During her visit to Ottawa, Federal Minister Steffi Lemke will meet her Canadian counterpart Steven Guilbeault. The conference in Ottawa will be opened by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Dates on April 21, 2024

11:00 a.m.: Guided tour through Gatineau Park
2:00 p.m.: Meeting with Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault

Dates on April 22, 2024

9:00 a.m.: Opening of the ministerial conference, speech by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
from 10:00 a.m.: High-level negotiations on the structure of the international agreement to end plastic pollution

Ottawa local time information