STATEMENT BY JASON TAN, FIRST SECRETARY (SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT), PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO WASTE 2024, 27 MARCH 2024

Thank you Chair.

1                    I thank Türkiye, UNEP, and UN-Habitat for hosting this year’s celebration of the International Day of Zero Waste. I also thank First Lady Emine Erdogan for her continued leadership in this field.

2             Today’s meeting is a reminder that the world is still plagued by waste. We are consuming more resources than ever, and we are exceeding our planetary boundaries for production. Our increasing reliance on natural resources, which are limited and finite, and generating greater emissions across our economies, exacerbating climate change. Plastics are found in our oceans, polluting the environment, and endangering the planet’s largest ecosystem.

3                    I need not reiterate that urgent action is needed to achieve our global vision for zero waste. Strong and sustainable waste management underpins the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and we must chart bold and concrete action in pursuit of zero waste. Let me share three points.

4                    First, we must reimagine waste, and turn trash to treasure. We should capitalise on the digital revolution we find ourselves in, because technology is allowing us to develop innovative solutions to various challenges. Plastics can be upcycled and converted into pyrolysis oil, and incineration bottom ash can be treated into construction material. These creative and sustainable options help us better manage our waste, and complement efforts to close the waste loop for a range of end-of-life waste that fill up landfills across the world.

5                    Second, we need to empower industry towards a zero waste vision. An underlying premise to achieve our goals is the role of the private sector in driving innovation and adopting sustainable practices. We have to create an encouraging and enabling environment for industry to pursue sustainability initiatives, as well as build capabilities to capture the numerous green opportunities today. The private sector is invaluable to helping advance a circular economy and ensuring initiatives like extended producer responsibility are successful to promote sustainable production practices.

6                    Third, we have to actively pursue ambitious international cooperation that will promote global action towards our goals. Like every global challenge, one cannot tackle them alone. Just last month at UNEA-6, we saw a celebration of multilateral environmental agreements, which showcased how the convergence of international governments to take action on protecting our environment has contributed to our sustainable development efforts over the years. We must build on these successes, in order to chart an inclusive and sustainable path forward. This includes the international plastics treaty, which we hope will be finalized as soon as possible.

7                    We must seize opportunities to develop a clean, green and liveable world. Singapore remains committed to our goal to build a zero waste nation, and to the global efforts to achieve a sustainable, resource-efficient, and climate resilient environment for all. Let us work together to make this vision a reality.

8                    I thank you.

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