ECOWAS Considers Regional Action Plan to Combat Plastic Pollution
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc comprising 15 countries, is weighing the adoption of a comprehensive regional action plan to tackle the escalating problem of plastic pollution.
Bernard Yao Koffi, ECOWAS Director for Environment and Natural Resources, revealed this development during an interview at a two-day workshop supported by the World Bank Group. The workshop, held to address environmental challenges in the subregion, focused on devising strategies to mitigate the impact of plastic waste.
“Many of our member states have introduced national action plans to address plastic pollution, with some even aiming to ban single-use plastics,” Koffi stated. “However, these efforts have faced implementation challenges.”
The proposed regional action plan aims to unify and strengthen these individual efforts by providing a collaborative framework for member states. By harmonizing policies and sharing resources, ECOWAS hopes to overcome the obstacles that have hindered progress at the national level.
The move comes as plastic pollution continues to pose significant environmental and health risks across West Africa. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for collective action to address environmental issues that transcend national boundaries.
The World Bank Group’s involvement underscores the international support for ECOWAS’s efforts. The success of this regional plan could serve as a model for other regions grappling with similar challenges.
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ECOWAS mulls regional action plan to address plastic pollution
cgtn.com
