Countries around the world are being urged to take action to stop plastic entering our seas.

UN member states pledge to reduce plastic in world’s oceans

The UK has made a global commitment to reduce plastic in the world’s oceans.

The commitment was made at this year's United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, which came to a close on Wednesday.

Environment minister Therese Coffey said: “Countries around the world need to take urgent action to stop plastic entering our oceans and I am delighted that today’s UN agreement clearly demonstrates our shared commitment.

“At home, the UK continues to be a world leader in tackling this issue – taking nine billion plastic bags out of circulation with our 5p carrier bag charge and drawing up one of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads.”

During the Assembly, UN member states also made a commitment to help tackle antimicrobial resistance. Support for existing progress made on AMR through the work of various UK agencies highlighted the need to further understand the impact of AMR on the environment.

The UN Environment Programme has been commissioned to produce a report on the environmental impacts of AMR, including the causes for development and spread of resistance in the environment.

Member States are also being encouraged to consider putting in place measures to manage waste and waste water. This includes manufacturers of antibiotics where applicable, in order to minimise antimicrobial pollution.

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