The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, José Fernández, is heading to Canada to lead the U.S. delegation at the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee from April 23 to 29 to enhance cooperation and exchange ideas on addressing plastic pollution.

A statement on the U.S. State Department's website on Friday noted that the committee brings together representatives from around 180 countries to make progress toward a strong, comprehensive global agreement on plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is a global problem affecting the environment, biodiversity, health, food security, and economies, and the United States is working with other countries to develop a global treaty that puts the world on track to end plastic pollution.

The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee represents a critical opportunity to achieve tangible progress toward the goal set by the United Nations Environment Assembly, which is to finalize the text of the treaty by the end of 2024, according to the statement.