On the morning of May 30, 2024, the VNU-UL Center for Law of the Sea and International Maritime Law (SIMLAW) hosted a workshop titled “Scientific and Technical Aspects of the Global Plastics Pollution Treaty.”

 

The workshop attracted many experts, scientists, negotiators, and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Attendees from VNU University of Law included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Que Anh (Rector); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Diep (Chairman of the Interim School Council); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuan Son (Director of SIMLAW); alongside faculty representatives from various departments. The University also had the honour of welcoming partners such as Ms. Hilde Solbakken (Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam); Mr. Vu Minh Duc (Senior Advisor, Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam); Christoffer Groenstad (Senior Advisor, Norwegian Institute for Water Research); Arisman (Director of the Southeast Asian Studies Center); Andi Soesmono (Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries); Raldi Hendrotoro Seputro (Indonesian Ministry of Industry and Trade); Wakhyono Budianto (Indonesian Ministry of Health); Astrid Puspitasari (Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry); Prof. Jorge Emmanuel (Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences, Silliman University, Philippines); Prof. Park Ki-gab (School of Law, Korea University, Former Member of the UN International Law Commission); and Aprilia Nidia Rinasti (Asian Institute of Technology).

 

In her opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Que Anh highlighted the growing threat of plastic pollution, which poses severe risks to ecosystems, human health, and sustainable development. She emphasized the workshop as a valuable opportunity to engage with national and international experts directly involved in negotiating the Global Plastics Pollution Treaty and to discuss the scientific and technical aspects of forming an international legal framework to address plastic pollution. On behalf of the university, she expressed gratitude to the attending experts and hoped for more initiatives towards preserving a green, healthy environment for humanity.

In her address, Ms Hilde Solbakken extended her thanks to SIMLAW and NIVA for organizing the workshop and expressed her honour to participate. She noted that the project and this workshop focused on two main elements: studying marine plastic waste issues and finding solutions for ocean plastic waste management. “According to recent reports, if we do not act, ocean plastic waste could double by 2040. This is why combating marine plastic waste is our top priority,” the Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam added. She concluded by stating that the knowledge and contributions of experts at this workshop are crucial for negotiating and implementing the Global Plastics Pollution Treaty, paving the way for a brighter future.

 

The workshop featured a total of six presentations, including:

- Outcomes of the 4th Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on developing a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution and the need for expert consultations on scientific and technical aspects (Mr. Christoffer Groenstad, Norwegian Institute for Water Research)

- Introduction of the revised “0” draft and new contents (Dr. Arisman, Southeast Asian Studies Center)

- The process of developing highly technical treaties and challenges to the development of international law and multilateral treaties (Prof. Park Ki-gab, Former Member of the UN International Law Commission)

- Specialized terminology and technical issues related to plastic pollution (Prof. Jorge Emmanuel, Alliance of Scientists for an Effective Plastics Agreement)

- Plastic pollution and the impact of inaccurate scientific information on the process of forming an effective Global Plastics Pollution Treaty (Prof. Jorge Emmanuel and Ms. Aprilia Rinasti, Alliance of Scientists for an Effective Plastics Agreement)

The workshop aimed to serve as a platform for scientists, experts, and negotiators to exchange knowledge and experiences on ocean plastic waste, environmental issues, and the scientific and legal aspects, contributing positively to the negotiations for the Global Plastics Pollution Agreement.