The Voluntary Coalition of Governments and Relevant Organizations for the Progressive Closure of Dumpsites in Latin America and the Caribbean was established as per Decision 1 of the XXI Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (Buenos Aires, October 2018), where countries agreed to make the necessary efforts to strengthen the integrated solid waste management, developing policies and strategies to phase-out the unsound waste management practices, including dumpsites and open burning.
At the constitutive meeting of the Coalition, which took place in September 2019 in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the objectives, scope of work of the group and organizational structure were defined, as well as the main elements and actions of the first Work Plan. A Steering Committee was also established as the body in charge of coordinating, guiding, supporting and following up on the Coalition's activities, and facilitating the mobilization of resources. As a result, the Coalition was formed, comprising a group of government focal points nominated by the countries of the region, as well as other non-governmental actors related to the scope and purpose of this group.
As a result of the XXII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment, which took place from February 1st to 2nd, 2021, the ministers agreed on an integrated approach to address the threat of pollution through the Decision 1 on Pollution, the Roadmap for the progressive closure of dumpsites was presented and disseminated, which includes a set of technical, environmental, economic and social inclusion considerations, as well as the 2021-2022 Work Plan based on the agreed objectives for the biennium, developed in consultation with all designated focal points.
To support the implementation of the recently agreed Work Plan, a regional baseline was developed, which compiles and analyzes available information on the presence and use of dumpsites in different countries of the region, the associated impacts, as well as trends and examples of regulatory measures, plans and programs that have already been adopted for the closure of landfills, including concrete cases. The baseline at the municipal level was also analyzed, based on a municipal consultation with broad participation, the results of which were included in the Report on the results of the municipal consultation on sustainable waste management and training needs in Latin America and the Caribbean (2023).
Recently, in October 2023, the Ministers of Environment of the region approved Decision 1 on Pollution at the XXIII Meeting of the Forum. At this meeting, the results of the implementation of the 2021-2022 Work Plan, presented in the Progress Report, were recognized, a new Steering Committee was formed and the new 2024-2025 Work Plan was approved, which currently guides the work of the Coalition, in accordance with its four objectives:
- Support the implementation of the roadmap for the progressive closure of dumpsites and the effective transition to integrated waste management in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Promote the development, adaptation and dissemination of guidelines, including technical, social, health, environmental and economic aspects, considering existing work and in coordination with other initiatives.
- Facilitate capacity building and the exchange of information, experiences and best practices on policies, instruments, related projects and funding opportunities.
- Contribute to raising awareness of the importance of proper integrated waste management throughout its life cycle, and the consequences of inadequate waste management.
For more information, please contact Jordi Pon, Regional Coordinator of the UNEP Chemicals and Pollution Action Programme in Latin America and the Caribbean: jordi.pon@un.org.
