Caribbean leaders urge action on pollution to advance green agenda

NAIROBI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The presidents of Caribbean Islands of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago said on Tuesday that there was an urgency to act on global pollution menace in order to stimulate green and sustainable growth.

Speaking at the ongoing third edition of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA3) in Nairobi, both leaders emphasized that combating the pollution menace is the key to achieving environmental sustainability.

David Granger, the President of Guyana, said national governments and industries have an obligation to fight pollution in order to ensure communities are free from diseases and abject poverty.

"A clean and healthy environment is an entitlement for all and governments should pass laws to curb pollution," Granger said.

He spoke during the official opening of UNEA 3 High Level Segment that was presided over by his host, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.

The high-level segment of the ongoing global environment assembly was also attended by environment ministers, diplomats, scientists and business leaders.

Granger underscored the role of robust policies, laws and climate friendly technologies to tackle pollution in the world's oceans, farmlands and freshwater bodies.

"Technological solutions exist to eradicate pollution in our environment and we must harness them to ensure we have a sustainable planet," said Granger.

He stressed that domestication of global instruments on promoting solid waste management is the key to reducing mounting toll of pollution on fragile ecosystems.

"Our environment should be protected from the ravages of climate change and pollution," Granger told policymakers, industry executives, scholars and campaigners attending the three day global environment assembly.

On his part, President of Trinidad and Tobago, Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona said drastic actions should be taken by governments and businesses to tackle environmental pollution.

"We must demonstrate new commitment to tackle pollution which threatens our sustainability. Pollution has poisoned our land, soil and waterways while exacerbating diseases," Carmona said.

He urged UN member states to groom the next generation of green conscious leaders whose role will be critical to re-energize the war against pollution and climate change. Enditem