Remarks by UN Resident Coordinator at FlipFlopi Expedition on Lake Victoria arrival in Kampala

Acknowledgements:

Her Royal Highness the Nnabagereka of Buganda

The Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar

Your Excellencies, the Ambassadors

Civil Society and Private Sector Representatives, Youth climate change leaders,

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the United Nations system, I am delighted to participate in this ceremony to witness the arrival in Kampala of the FlipFlopi Expedition on Lake Victoria, as part of efforts to raise awareness about plastic pollution of this lake. Today, most of the world’s marine areas are impacted by both land-based and marine-based human pressures. Land-based sources account for approximately 80 per cent of marine pollution globally. These range from agricultural practices, coastal tourism, port and harbour developments, damming of rivers, urban development and construction, as well as mining, fisheries, aquaculture, and manufacturing, among others. This makes the FlipFlopi expedition, the right type of activity for this year’s Water and Environment Week.

Why is today important? Plastic pollution is one of the most serious threats to our environment, health and blue economy as it jeopardizes most of the world’s ecosystems from rainforests to the oceans. The East African Region is not an exception. Tons of plastic enter Lake Victoria from land-based sources every year, clogging drainages and urban water systems leading to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Nutrient loads from agricultural runoff and inadequate wastewater treatment continue to contaminate the lake with devastating effects including the spread of dead zones in our waters. When consumed by fish and livestock, plastic waste ends up in our food chain.

On 10th February 2020: East African Community Partner States decided to enforce relevant laws to effectively ban the manufacture and use of plastic carrier bags with immediate effect. The 7th Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Environment and Natural Resources Management further directed Partner States that have not completely banned single use plastics and plastic carrier bags to do so urgently. We need innovative African-led initiatives from our mostly youthful population to ensure affordable and sustainable alternatives in African households, communities and nations.

What can we do? We need a robust partnership including Governments, private sector, civil society, cultural and religious leaders to mitigate the contamination of our water sources and to re-define new economic growth models that are in harmony with the environment. Africa has the potential to become the world’s center of excellence in the use of renewable energy as it races to achieve sustainable development and shared prosperity for all. We need to invest in food systems that enable fishing communities to cohabitate with water bodies including lakes, rivers and wetlands; we need to update our curriculum in schools and other learning centers to teach our toddlers, children and young adults about the urgency of developing, implementing and sustaining solutions to protect and nurture the environment; we need to roll out model villages which can be part of regional value chains informed by shared values of Obuntubulamu and the global aspirations of the 2030 Agenda which aims to leave no one behind.

Before I conclude, I wish to take a moment to convey my condolences to the people of Tanzania for the loss of late President Magufuli. I also wish to congratulate H.E. Samia Suluhu 6th President of Tanzania and wish her well in this leadership chapter. I also wish to convey my appreciation to all health workers and UN frontline staff keeping millions of people alive in this new COVID-19 world. I also wish to recognize the courage and extraordinary leadership of youth climate activists who as SDG Champions have been raising their voices on the need to protect the environment as we pursue economic growth. On behalf of the United Nations, I wish to reiterate our commitment to support national and regional efforts to protect the environment as part of our partnership with the people and Government of Uganda as outlined in our new Cooperation Framework. Today’s expedition contributes to addressing plastic pollution in Uganda’s ecosystems including freshwater resources by leveraging Outcome 2.2 of our UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework which aims to help ensure that “By 2025, Uganda’s natural resources and environment are sustainably managed, protected and people especially the vulnerable and marginalized, have the capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change and disaster risks”. Supporting partnerships to raise awareness and engage communities in the fight against pollution also contributes to Output 2.2.1 which aims to achieve “Strengthened capacity of public and private institutions and communities to sustainably manage natural resources and protect vital ecosystems”.

Further, the United Nations Environment Programme support of the FlipFlopi expedition falls under the Clean Seas campaign which aims to galvanize change among governments, private sector and civil society to end plastic pollution. It also contributes to UNEP’s 2020/2021 Programme on “Protecting the Marine Environment from Land-Based Pollution through Coordinated and Strengthened Global Action” and is a key component of the “Towards a Pollution Free Planet” implementation plan which is in line with the General Assembly resolution 73/260 of 22 December 2018, which reaffirmed that addressing pollution is a crucial element to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

I wish to conclude with a quote from Nelson Mandela: “We cannot afford to wait for others to stand up for our environment – as nobody stands to lose more than we do. It is our duty to be proactive in the battle to protect Africa's natural environment. The right to a healthy environment is a crucial human right because it directly impacts our quality of life.”

Thank you.