Under Secretary Fernandez to Lead U.S. Delegation to Plastic Pollution Negotiations in Canada

Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez will travel to Ottawa, Canada to lead the U.S. delegation to the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) on April 23-29.

Under Secretary Fernandez will be joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment John Thompson, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs negotiators, and U.S. interagency partners. INC-4 brings together representatives from approximately 180 countries to make progress towards a strong, inclusive global agreement on plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is a global problem affecting our environment, biodiversity, health, food security, and economies. The United States is working with other nations to develop a global agreement that will set the world on a course to end plastic pollution. The fourth session of the INC is a critical opportunity to achieve meaningful progress to meet the goal set by the UN Environmental Assembly to have a final text of the agreement by the end of 2024. U.S. delegation members have consulted with a wide set of stakeholders, including environmental nongovernmental organizations, industry, the scientific community, state and local governments, and Tribal nations in order to negotiate an agreement that is inclusive and effective. While in Ottawa, Under Secretary Fernandez will meet with government leaders, civil society, and other stakeholders to foster cooperation and exchange ideas on addressing pollution throughout the plastic lifecycle.

For media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. To stay up to date, follow Under Secretary Fernandez on X: @State_E, LinkedIn: @State-E, and Facebook: @StateDeptE.