The regional entity extended in an official statement its call to care for natural resources, a number-one priority enshrined in the Treaty of Chaguaramas (1973), and reaffirmed its support to this year’s theme Plastic pollution solutions to “one of the most pressing environmental challenges affecting our oceans, health and climate”.

CARICOM noted that “plastic also contributes to greenhouse emissions from production to disposal and, according to the UN Environment Program (UNEP), over eight million tons of plastic waste pollution ends up in the oceans each year, equivalent to a full garbage truck every minute.”

We have drawn up a regional strategy to mitigate marine litter and microplastics generation and reduce their impact on fauna and human health.

Other actions include banning single-use plastics, promoting circular economy models, improving waste collection and recycling systems, and raising public awareness and education.

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