One of the younger members of the Antigua and Barbuda mission to the United
Nations – Asha Challenger – has been elected to one of the important United
Nations committees working towards ending plastic pollution worldwide.
A press release from the mission stated, First Secretary Challenger has been
elected by acclamation to the position of Vice President of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, which is seeking to develop a binding
legal agreement that will see to the end of plastic pollution across the globe.
According to the release, she serves in this role on behalf of Small Island
Developing States (SIDS) and has also been tasked with the responsibilities of
Rapporteur for the Committee.
“Challenger won unanimous approval for the post during the second session of the
INC which concluded in Paris, France on Friday with a clear mandate for it to
begin work on preparing a draft treaty ahead of its next session set to take place in
Nairobi, Kenya, this November.
“Antigua and Barbuda has been at the vanguard of the effort to make the oceans
free of plastic pollution and the dreaded consequences it is bringing to the health
and economic welfare of island nations in the Caribbean and around the world. In
2016, Antigua and Barbuda imposed a ban on the use of single-use plastics giving
it an influential voice on the issue internationally, the media release stated.
It noted that in June 2020, on the occasion of World Ocean Day, it joined with
Norway and the Maldives to launch the Group of Friends to Combat Plastic
Pollution, seeking to accelerate the push for action on bringing an end to the crisis.
“Our marine ecosystems which are so vital for our survival will literally suffocate
if we fail to act now,” Ms. Challenger acknowledged.
“There’s a growing sense of optimism that we are moving in the right direction in
relieving our planet from an impending crisis,” she further said in reflecting on the
outcome of last week’s meeting while expressing gratitude to her colleagues and
peers for reposing their confidence in her to serve as Vice President of INC.
Challenger joined the Antigua and Barbuda Mission to the United Nations in New
York in 2016 and also covers the high seas treaty and international security and
disarmament matters. She has also served as Lead Oceans Negotiator for the
Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS).
The Antigua and Barbuda delegation to the Paris meeting also included Dr. Linroy
Christian, Director of the Analytical Services Division, and Indira James-Henry,
Environmental Implementation Coordinator. Minister of Health and the
Environment Sir Molwyn Joseph represented the country at the high-level
meetings earlier.
