Maldives Joins Norway to launch Group of Friends to Combat Plastic Pollution

Monday 8th of June 2020

Maldives Joins Norway to launch Group of Friends to Combat Plastic Pollution

On World Ocean Day, 8th June 2020, the Maldives, Norway, Antigua and Barbuda will launch the new Group of Friends to Combat Plastic Pollution, which seeks to push for action that would help to effectively address plastic pollution at the global level. The Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdullah Shahid announced the participation of the country in the high-level launch event recently.

One of the main objectives of the Group of Friends is to support the ongoing work under the UN Environmental Assembly. Some specific objects include raising awareness on current gaps in the global legal and policy framework as well as the scope of and potential solutions to the plastic pollution problem, by and among UNHQ based diplomats; building awareness of the plastic situation in different national and regional contexts; and exploring opportunities to engage with outside academic, private sector and civil society organizations to advance these objectives.

After the launch, Group of Friends is planned to host ministerial or Head of State/Government level meetings in the margins of other high-level meetings; host side events involving political leaders, high-level UN officials, academics, private sector leaders and other prominent voices on plastic pollution; and convening a formal meeting between the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) and the GoF.

While there are over 40 founding members, the Maldives is a co-chair. Join the launch LIVE on YouTube at 6pm.