Statement on the Impact of Pollution on Public Health and Advancement in Least Developed Countries at the occasion of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP-16-R2

by WOMENVAI, INTEV, Business As Nature, ACEF Africa-Farmer Charlie, Swiss Engineering Geneva- the CHEMICHEMI Foundation

12th February 2025

In line with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) Conventions, we urge governments and international organizations to prioritize the health and well-being of their citizens by adopting and enforcing stringent pollution control measures.

Pollution, in its many forms – including plastics, mercury, and other toxic substances – poses severe threat to public health, ecosystems, and sustainable development. In Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the consequences are even more devastating, exacerbating poverty, undermining economic growth, and impeding progress toward the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Plastic pollution continues to be exacerbated by deficiency of both technical pollution mitigation infrastructure and human resource skills deficit.

Statement on the Impact of Pollution on Public Health and Advancement in Least Developed Countries at the occasion of the 16^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP-16-R2

by WOMENVAI, INTEV, Business As Nature, ACEF Africa-Farmer Charlie

Swiss Engineering Geneva- the CHEMICHEMI Foundation 

12^th February 2025

In line with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) Conventions, we urge governments and international organizations to prioritize the health and well-being of their citizens by adopting and enforcing stringent pollution control measures.

Pollution, in its many forms – including plastics, mercury, and other toxic substances – poses severe threat to public health, ecosystems, and sustainable development. In Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the consequences are even more devastating, exacerbating poverty, undermining economic growth, and impeding progress toward the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Plastic pollution continues to be exacerbated by deficiency of both technical pollution mitigation infrastructure and human resource skills deficit.

The case of Cameroon exemplifies the urgency of this crisis: unchecked plastic pollution clogs waterways, leading to floods and waterborne diseases; mercury contamination from artisanal mining affects neurological health and biodiversity; and air pollution from unregulated industries and waste burning contributes to respiratory illnesses and premature deaths.

We, WOMENVAI and its partners, call for immediate political action and stronger regulatory frameworks to protect public health and promote environmental justice. The strategic focus on prevention, circularity and systemic change will result in circular economy, planetary and people health. This can be actualized through an annual budget allocation for LCDs to not only address pollution-related damages but also to invest in prevention, modernized infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns.

We also call on parties to devise ways on how the technical policies and frameworks can be designed in palatable information by an indigenous peoples and local communities. This will bridge the existing knowledge gaps between policy formulators and community policy implementers.

Our requests align with international commitments under the UNEP, the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and the CBD. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (adopted under the CBD) commits nations to reducing pollution and its impacts on ecosystems and health, yet implementation in LDCs remains inadequate due to financial and technical gaps.

We urge:

1. Stronger political commitment to enforce pollution control laws, ban hazardous substances, and promote sustainable waste management;
2. Increased funding and technology transfer for modern waste management systems and pollution monitoring in LDCs;
3. Education and awareness campaigns to empower communities and businesses to reduce pollution and adopt sustainable practices;
4. A shift from reactive to preventive policies, ensuring long-term resilience against pollution-induced health and environmental crises;
5. Implementation of stringent regulations to control the use of harmful chemicals and pollutants in the agricultural sector, promoting sustainable farming practices that protect both the environment and public health;
6. Integration of gender equality into climate action and technological innovation, ensuring that women and marginalized groups are included in the co-design, co-development and implementation of sustainable solutions.

Without proactive and sustained strategic actions, pollution will continue to cripple the potential of LDCs, affecting health, productivity, and the right to a clean and safe environment.

We stand ready to collaborate with governments, UN agencies, and civil society to drive this change for a better life for all.

SIGNATORIES

ABOUT THE ENTITIES REPRESENTED

WOMENVAI: WOmen and Men in ENVironment and Artificial Intelligence, a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, France. Established in January 2018, member of the WCG- Women and Climate Group Constituency, is a unique platform gathering women and men together in STEM* to build and bring sustainable solutions for a better world, aligned with the SDGs. Goals include the representation of women in STEM, particularly in areas with high technological added value, to benefit sustainable development and environmental issues and bridge the professional equality gap between women and men. *STEM= Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths. More on www.womenvai.org

SWISSENGINEERING Geneva Chapter is a professional association in Switzerland that represents engineers and architects, serving as a platform for networking, professional development, and advocacy for their interests. We aim to promote the high standards of engineering and architecture, working on education, innovation, sustainability and the promotion of STEM, with 115 years existence, given the significance of Geneva as a hub for international organizations and its strong presence in engineering and technology sectors. More on https://swissengineering-ge.ch/

ACEF AFRICA, Africa Climate and Environment Foundation is an international non-profit organization founded in 2021 in Limbe- Cameroon. This youth-led organization was founded in order to mobilize and empower grassroots African youth to take action for the climate, environment, and sustainable development, that would help bridge the hunger and poverty gap, mitigate climate change, build the resilience of grassroots communities, protect the environment, promote peace, and conserve natural resources across Africa. ACEF is typically a youth-driven organization and its spread across Africa has proven its acceptance by passionate and enlightened African youths who are bent in their irrevocable task of changing the narrative in the African continent. It’s time to stop talking the talk: with members across 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and accreditation by the UNEP and United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC). More on https://www.acef-ngo.org/

INTEV : The Association Institute of Total Environment is a non-governmental association created in 2014, based and registered in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and accredited by UN Environment Programme since September 2022. The main objective of INTEV is to promote the sustainable development and a healthy environment as major factors for the development in Africa. Contact tetsopgang@yahoo.com

CHEMICHEMI Foundation is a non-governmental organization based in Kenya and dedicated to building climate resilience and governance capacity. Their work focuses on empowering youth, women, indigenous peoples, local and marginalized communities to adapt to climate vulnerabilities. Through advocacy, economic empowerment, and innovative programs, they strive to create adaptable and resilient societies for future generations. More information on www.chemichemifoundation.org/

FARMER CHARLIE is an organization dedicated to supporting smallholder farmers by providing affordable access to wifi internet, weather and field sensors, and agribusiness information directly in the field. Established in 2020, our mission is to empower farmers with data-informed decisions to improve agricultural outcomes and reduce postharvest loss. In partnership with AB5 Consulting, we work together to implement advanced agricultural technologies and sustainable practices, further enhancing the resilience and productivity of smallholder farmers. More information on www.farmer-charlie.com/

BUSINESS As Nature (BasN) is a non-profit association established in 2019 in Portugal, focusing on promoting sustainable production and consumption, as well as the circular and low-carbon economy. We emphasize the role of women as agents of change and work to empower female entrepreneurship and gender equality. More on https://businessasnature.org/en/home/