Geneva: Malaysia has reaffirmed its strong position on controlling the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous waste at the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs), held from April 28 to May 9 in Geneva, Switzerland. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stated that Malaysia's participation reflects its firm commitment to addressing the movement and disposal of hazardous waste.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia has consistently been active and vocal as a developing nation at the negotiation table, particularly on the control of hazardous waste and chemical imports into the country. This meeting also marked the first platform for Malaysia to represent ASEAN's collective stance, emphasizing that the region is not a dumping ground for toxic, problematic, or hard-to-recycle waste.
The BRS COPs encompass three crucial multilateral environmental agreements that manage hazardous chemicals and waste. The Basel Convention aims to reduce the generation of hazardous waste and regulate its cross-border movement. The Rotterdam Convention oversees international trade in hazardous chemicals, while the Stockholm Convention focuses on controlling persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
During the convention, Nik Nazmi exchanged views with counterparts from other member states on the impacts of poorly regulated hazardous chemicals and waste, especially concerning climate change and biodiversity loss. He also held bilateral talks with Qatar's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Abdullah Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie, to explore potential cooperation in environmental protection and climate change through a memorandum of understanding.
Furthermore, Nik Nazmi met with representatives from the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty and the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, to discuss ways to finalise and implement the Global Plastics Treaty effectively.
Malaysia will continue its collaboration with the Basel Action Network (BAN) to combat the illegal import of e-waste and plastic waste, particularly from developed countries. Nik Nazmi's discussions with BAN's executive director and founder, Jim Puckett, focused on Malaysia's efforts to intercept and return illegal waste shipments and the importance of cooperation in information sharing and regional enforcement.
He emphasized the necessity for Malaysia to maintain an active role on the international stage to protect its national interests in addressing environmental pollution, especially concerning the control of hazardous waste movement and chemical imports. This commitment ensures that Malaysia remains focused on critical negotiation issues and continues to protect human well-being and the environment.