Launch Of #StopPlastikPollution RESIK Campaign, Towards An International Legally Binding Agreement To End Pollution Due To Plastic Waste

Photo: Istinewa

JAKARTA - Around eight million tons of plastic waste pollute the ocean every year. Plastic pollution causes ecosystem damage and adversely affects human health and biodiversity, making plastic pollution a global issue that must be addressed immediately. For this reason, the National Coordination Team for Plastic Waste Management (TKN PSL) launched the RESIK (Redefining Solutions on Plastic Pollution Towards Integrated Policy and Knowledge) campaign as part of the National Waste Awareness Day (HPSN). The campaign is supported by the Canadian Embassy in Indonesia and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia.

Indonesia, together with the other United Nations (UN) member states, has been actively participating in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to solve the problem of plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, through the development of International Legally Binding Agreement (ILBI). The INC has been held three times thus far, and the INC-4 will be held in Ottawa, Canada from 23 – 29 April 2024.

Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, Head of the Indonesian Delegation to the INC and Director General of PSLB3 of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, conveyed, "We invite the participation of all stakeholders in the socialization of ILBI on Plastic Pollution to exchange understanding and input. We hope that all stakeholders can work together in solving plastic pollution because this problem must be handled by all parties."

Canadian Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Jess Dutton conveyed Canada's commitment to ending plastic pollution through domestic efforts and working with international partners to support global ambition. “We understand the importance of strengthening global cooperation to tackle shared challenges. As the host of INC 4, we are eager to help build an international consensus on how we can better address plastic pollution.”

Head of the Environment Unit of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Indonesia, Aretha Aprilia, expressed UNDP's dedication in supporting the resolution of plastic pollution, especially in the marine environment. "The amount of waste in the ocean today can fill one million soccer fields, therefore, the realization of ILBI on Plastic Pollution is an important milestone in our collective fight against plastic pollution."

ILBI on Plastic Pollution is targeted to be completed by INC-5 in South Korea. There are three initiated programmes under the RESIK campaign, namely seminars and workshops, competitions and the creation of Communication Strategy Handbook. Inspired by the literary meaning of RESIK, which means clean in Javanese, the campaign's tagline is as follows: "Mari Jadikan Indonesia Lebih Resik, Stop Polusi Plastik!" or in English: "Stop plastic pollution and make Indonesia more Resik!".