By Atoyebi Nike
The Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE) has called on Nigerians to contact their national negotiating ministers ahead of next month’s global plastics treaty negotiations and demand support for a strong, binding agreement to end plastic pollution.
Speaking ahead of the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2), scheduled for August 5–14, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, PAVE President Anthony Akpan urged citizens to raise domestic political pressure on their leaders.
“Many ministers will attend this high-stakes meeting. They must feel the pressure of citizen demand for a strong, ambitious plastics treaty,” Akpan said.
Plastic pollution is a growing crisis, with over 13 million tons of waste entering oceans annually and causing the death of over a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals. Akpan warned that poor waste management, especially in developing countries, has turned cities into dumping grounds and poses severe health risks to humans.
He noted that toxic chemicals in plastics often degrade into microplastics that enter the food chain and water sources, increasing the risk of health challenges.
The push for a strong treaty follows the UN Environment Assembly’s (UNEA-5.2) adoption of a historic resolution in Nairobi to end plastic pollution by 2024. The resolution—endorsed by Nigeria and 174 other nations—addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal.
However, INC-5 failed to reach a conclusive draft, prompting the need for INC-5.2 to finalize the terms of a legally binding international agreement. Akpan emphasized that the upcoming talks must deliver concrete solutions, including support for reusable and recyclable product design and international collaboration on technology and waste systems.
Calling for behavior change, Akpan stressed the importance of awareness, proper waste handling, and stronger government action. “Africa must not be left behind in this global revolution. Nigeria must lead with bold commitment,” he said.
