On October 2, the President of Togo's National Assembly, Prof. Komi Selom Klassou, inaugurated a parliamentary seminar in Lomé focused on adapting and appropriating legislation to combat plastic pollution. The seminar, a collaboration between the Togolese parliament, the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), aims to equip policymakers with practical legal tools to address the proliferation of plastic waste. The goal is to support Togo's transition to a sustainable circular economy.
The seminar, running for two days, will discuss harmonizing Togo's legal framework with international instruments to formulate concrete legislative proposals for the benefit of its population. Prof. Klassou described plastic pollution as a "silent invader" threatening the environment, public health, and economic activities. He recalled the vision of the President of the Council and Togo's legislative advancements, including the 2008 environmental law and the 2011 decree regulating non-biodegradable plastic bags.
During the seminar, participants will focus on developing pragmatic solutions to tackle plastic pollution. The President of the National Assembly emphasized the importance of transforming reflections into concrete reforms, ensuring that cities breathe, lands produce, and waters remain alive. He encouraged all actors to consider waste management as a lever for creating green jobs for the youth.
According to Bakary Junior Bamba, representative of the OIF's regional representative for West Africa, the world consumed over 500 million tons of plastic in 2024, with projections indicating that plastic waste may triple by 2060 without coordinated action. The OIF and the Institut de la Francophonie pour le développement durable (IFDD) reaffirmed their commitment to supporting member states in elaborating texts adapted to their national realities.
Amélia Lakrafi, the APF's parliamentary secretary-general, presented the main axes of the legislative framework adopted by the APF in July in Yaoundé. The framework focuses on precise operational tools, including targeted bans on single-use plastics, extended producer responsibility, and ecological taxation.
The Togolese parliament's initiative aligns with global efforts to address plastic pollution. The country's ratification of the BBNJ treaty, dedicated to protecting the high seas, demonstrates its commitment to tackling environmental challenges. The seminar's outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of effective legislation to mitigate plastic pollution in Togo.
The collaboration between the Togolese parliament, APF, and OIF highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing environmental issues. By working together, these entities aim to support Togo's transition to a sustainable circular economy and provide a model for other countries to follow in combating plastic pollution.
Key points
- Togo's parliamentarians are working to strengthen the country's legislative framework to combat plastic pollution.
- The seminar aims to support Togo's transition to a sustainable circular economy.
- International cooperation is crucial in addressing environmental challenges like plastic pollution.
