The world has agreed to end plastic pollution. All actors must now do their part to deliver on this promise, starting right now.”

We believe in a just transition. Everybody should be included and nobody left behind. We want to make sure that we can eradicate poverty as part of sorting out this problem. We need to look at the most vulnerable people (the poorer, women, and people with disabilities, etcetera). In South Africa, we move together with everyone.

We have an opportunity now with the Treaty. We need to change the narrative to the creation of jobs, because I believe that a predictable world is going to allow companies to invest in new materials but also new practices, such as refill and reuse practices. So, all of this is economic value creation, the right thing to do, and it’s good for the economies.

We need a Treaty, because if we don’t have clear rules, then we don’t have clear guidance for the private sector. In Mexico, we are demonstrating that, when you have clear rules, the private sector comes in, and they really invest. In Mexico City, for example, with the Systemic Change Scenario included in the Plastics Action Roadmap, we are projecting to replace 53% of current generated plastics by 2040, with clear guidance.

There are three points that are important for us: first, predictability of the regulatory framework; second, a technology agnostic approach for regulation; and third, less ideology and more pragmatism in the regulatory framework.

Beyond getting together and having good intentions, let's set a timeline and meet the goals set. Otherwise, this is going to be a vicious never-ending cycle.