CONSULTATIONS ON THE REVISED DRAFT TEXT OF THE INTERNATIONALLY LEGAL BINDING INSTRUMENT ON PLASTIC POLLUTION, INCLUDING IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

The United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA), in resolution 5/14 in March 2022, requested the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the marine environment, based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. This committee has had four (4) Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) Meetings to date which included:

· INC-1: In Punto del Este, Uruguay from November 28 – December 2, 2022

· INC-2: In Paris, France from May 29-June 2, 2023

· INC-3: In Nairobi, Kenya from November 13-19, 2024

· INC-4: In Ottawa, Canada from April 23-29, 2024

Following its last meeting, a revised draft text of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution including the marine environment has been prepared and will serve as the basis for negotiations at the Committee’s fifth and final meeting (INC-5), in Busan the Republic of Ko rea from November 25 to December 1, 2024. All manufacturers who have plastics as a part of their operations are to ensure that they are kept up to date on what is happening globally on this legally binding instrument. Information on the latest developments can be found on the URL below: https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution/session-4

Information on the latest version of the International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution and the Marine Environment can be found on the link below: https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/45464/INC4ReportE.pdf

Please note that this document will be updated again before and after INC-5.


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Mr. Sydney Thwaites

President

Mr. Thwaites has over 28 years of experience in financial services, petrochemicals, and consulting, with a global reach spanning the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He co-founded Lubricating Specialties Company Jamaica in 2015, revitalizing the local lubricant manufacturing industry. With a solid track record of organizational leadership, Mr. Thwaites has developed and negotiated long-term partnerships with major global companies, closed various debt and equity financing deals, and delivered consistent growth and returns. Known for his dynamic

leadership, trustworthy and ethical approach, and keen market understanding, he has served as CEO of LSC USA and held advisory roles with the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Petroleum Quality Institute of America.

Licenses, Permits, and Certificates: A Quick Guide

Apply for the necessary licenses, permits, and certifications at the following Agencies:

  • Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection (PQPI) Division: Contact for exportation of agricultural produce. A certified packaging facility is required. Specifications and guidelines can be obtained from PQPI.
  • Veterinary Services Division: Contact for export permits/licenses related to the following:
    • Apicultural products
    • Bee products
    • Animals and animal by-products
  • Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Agency (JACRA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Coffee
    • Coconut
    • Cocoa
    • Spices (including Pimento, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Turmeric).
  • Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Cannabis
    • Hemp
  • Mines and Geology Division: Contact for exporting the following minerals:
    • Bauxite
    • Limestone
    • Aggregates
    • Gravel
    • Alumina
    • Cement
    • Rock
    • Stone
    • Soil
  • National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Scrap products (metals, batteries, etc.)
    • Hazardous materials
    • Endangered species.
  • Trade Board Limited: Contact for exporting the following:
    • Scrap metal (including scrap batteries and scrap gold)
    • Coffee
    • Ammunition (explosives and firearms)
    • Plasma
    • Wood (Lignum Vitae and log wood only)
    • Jewellery (excluding those from earth metals)
    • Brown Sugar
  • Ministry of Health and Wellness: Contact for exporting pharmaceutical products.

Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ): Consult with the BSJ for guidance on processed food prior to exporting. This includes information on standards, labelling and market requirements.