Africa Presses On Plastic Waste & Illegal Fishing #OneOceanSummit

African leaders called for intensified effrots to combat plastic pollution, coastal erosion and illegal fishing during the #OneOceanSummit in France. Presidents Hage Geingob from Namibia, Nana Akufo-Addo from Ghana and Samia Suluhu Hassan from Tanzania as well as Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch were among the 30 world leaders taking part in the meeting from February 9 to 12.

Geingob called for an intensification of global efforts to combat plastic pollution and coastal erosion. He said plastic debris is the most abundant type of litter in the ocean, making up 80% of all marine debris found from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Akufo-Addo outlined Ghana's strategic plan to deal with illegal, unregulated and marine litter, and he emphasized that Ghana backs vigorous global treaties to combat plastic pollution and illegal marine activities on the high seas. Samia appealed for improved ocean governance.