Draft Provisional summary of the stocktake of existing activities and action towards the long-term elimination of discharges into the oceans, to reduce marine plastic litter and microplastics

Note by the Secretariat
1. The ad hoc open-ended expert group (AHEG) was established through the United Nations
Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 3/7 paragraph 10. Its mandate was extended through
UNEA resolution 4/6 paragraph 7, which also requested the group to, amongst other things,
through subparagraph 7(a):
“Take stock of existing activities and action by governments, regional and global
instruments, international organizations, the private sector, non-governmental
organizations and other relevant contributors to reduce marine plastic litter and
microplastics with the aim of the long-term elimination of discharge into the oceans”
2. The expert group requested the Secretariat, in the outcome document from the third ad hoc
open-ended on marine litter and microplastics*, to consider relevant work undertaken by UNEP, as
well as other relevant existing bodies of work, such as information submitted as part of studies
undertaken by, for example, the Group of 20, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development, the Regional Seas Programmes and the Basel Convention; invite voluntary
contributions to the stocktaking exercise through the survey tool or through other submissions,
such contributions need not be exhaustive and may address any activity considered relevant by
* UNEP/AHEG/2020/4/1
* Available at https://papersmart.unon.org/resolution/uploads/aheg_3_outcome_document_0.pdf
UNEP/AHEG/2020/4/2
2
respondents; capture a wide range of activities, bearing in mind that the exercise will not be
exhaustive; and provide guidance for the submission process and provide support as needed.
3. This document aims to provide a Draft Provisional summary of the stocktake of existing
activities and action towards the long term elimination of discharges into the oceans, to reduce
marine plastic litter and microplastics and is presented to the fourth meeting of the ad hoc open-
ended expert group on marine litter and microplastics (AHEG-4) for discussion and consideration.
The ultimate objective of the stocktaking exercise is to establish the extent of activities and their
potential impact in the long-term on the elimination of discharges into the oceans and reduction of
marine plastic litter and microplastics. The stocktaking exercise will be aligned with a revised
methodology to analyse the effectiveness of existing and potential response options and activities
on marine litter and microplastics at all levels to determine the contribution in solving the global
problem mandated under UNEA resolution 4/6 subparagraph 7(d) and described in document
UNEP/AHEG/2020/4/4. The results of the stocktaking will aim to ascertain the present focus of
current and desired response options and activities and identify gaps in these across the four major
areas to inform the design of future initiatives.