According to a Russian satellite news agency on December 25, Indonesia’s Antara News Agency quoted a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to report that the Indonesian government will return 79 containers containing hazardous and toxic garbage to the United Kingdom, the United States, Zealand and Australia.
Director of the United States and Europe Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia said: “Under the Basel Convention, the import of hazardous and toxic waste is prohibited. Therefore, the Indonesian government will return the garbage to the country of origin.
Indonesia made this statement in a videoconference with representatives of the embassies of the four countries of the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand in Indonesia.
The United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand and Australia have previously pledged to cooperate with the Indonesian government on this issue.
According to the statement of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the containers should be shipped back to China by the end of January 2021.
According to Antara News Agency, Indonesian authorities are inspecting another 28 containers containing hazardous waste.
