MALAYSIA REAFFIRMS FIRM STAND ON HAZARDOUS WASTE CONTROL AT BRS COPS

PUTRAJAYA, May 2 (Bernama) -- 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, in a statement today, said Malaysia’s participation reflects its firm commitment to addressing the movement and disposal of hazardous waste.

“As a developing nation, Malaysia has consistently been active and vocal in voicing its position at the negotiation table, particularly on the control of hazardous waste and chemical imports into the country.

bootstrap slideshow

“This meeting also served as the first platform for Malaysia to represent ASEAN’s voice - that ASEAN is not the world’s dumping ground for toxic, problematic, or hard-to-recycle waste,” he said.

The BRS COPs consist of three key multilateral environmental agreements that govern the management of hazardous chemicals and waste.

The Basel Convention focuses on reducing the generation of hazardous waste and regulating its cross-border movement.

The Rotterdam Convention oversees international trade in hazardous chemicals, while the Stockholm Convention addresses the control of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Nik Nazmi said he exchanged views with his counterparts from other member states on the impact of poorly regulated hazardous chemicals and waste, particularly in relation to 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 through a memorandum of understanding in environmental protection and climate change.

“I also held a brief meeting with representatives of 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 in a fair, effective, and practical manner,” he added.

Nik Nazmi said Malaysia will continue its collaboration with the Basel Action Network (BAN) and reaffirmed its commitment to combating the illegal import of e-waste and plastic waste, especially from developed countries.

“My discussion with BAN 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 said.

He emphasised the need for Malaysia to maintain an active role at the international level to safeguard national interests in addressing environmental pollution, especially in the control of hazardous waste movement and chemical imports.

“Such commitments ensure that Malaysia remains focused on key negotiation issues and continues to stay on the right path in protecting both human well-being and the environment,” he said.

-- BERNAMA