An estimated 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste are dumped in lakes, rivers and seas annually. Discarded single-use plastic harms human health, the economy, the environment and threatens sustainable development.
Under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution, World Environment Day 2023
provides an opportunity to raise the volume on the call for governments,
cities and businesses to invest in and implement solutions to ending
plastic pollution.
Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and marked annually on 5 June since 1973, World Environment Day has grown to become one of the biggest global platforms for environmental outreach, with millions of people across the world engaging to protect the planet. This year it is hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, in partnership with the Netherlands.
The African Development Bank, based in Abidjan, has long supported Côte d’Ivoire to celebrate World Environment Day. This has a particular resonance this year, on the event’s 50th anniversary, with Côte d'Ivoire as the global host.
The Bank will support several activities, such as beach cleaning in Grand Bassam on Saturday 3 June, and a panel discussion and an exhibition of solutions to plastic pollution in Abidjan on Monday 5 June.
On Circular Economy, the Bank has been promoting its Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) and the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA).
