PM Gaston Browne prides as UN Caribbean lauds Antigua and Barbuda to ban plastic in 2016

St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda: Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda, felt delighted when the United Nations Caribbean lauded the nation for becoming the first Latin Americas country to ban plastic usage in 2016.

PM Browne reposted an update by the UN Caribbean with a caption that asked the general public to reduce the usage of plastic, contributing to the protection of our planet.

The social media update by PM Browne read, “There is a blue awakening happening across Latin America and the Caribbean as States say NO to plastic.” He additionally outlined, “Antigua and Barbuda became the first Latin America country to ban plastic bags in 2016.”

The United Nations Caribbean shared the update on the occasion of World Oceans Day 2023. The organisation highlighted the fact that Antigua and Barbuda was the first nation to ban plastic while raising awareness about ocean conservation and plastic waste.

The post read, “There is a blue awakening happening across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as States say 𝗡𝗢 to #plastics. A standout: Antigua and Barbuda, who became the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to ban plastic bags in 2016.”

It furthermore highlighted that such initiatives are important and essential to safeguard the water bodies surrounding the small island states in the Caribbean region. “With the Caribbean Sea being the second most polluted in the world, moves like this are critical to protecting our biodiversity and creating a sustainable tourism sector,” the social media post notified.

In conclusion, it emphasised that all must gather and must continue the mission to Beat Plastic Pollution (theme of World Environment Day 2023). It also encouraged the general public to join handles in this fight. “Let’s carry the mission to Beat Plastic Pollution into World Oceans Day 8 June,” it noted.