Plastic Treaty Negotiations Near Final Stage; Nations Aim to Finalise Plastic Pollution Pact
Geneva: The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution opened today at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The session, running from August 5 to 14, aims to finalise the treaty text for adoption at a future Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries. This follows the first part of the fifth session (INC-5) held at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre (BEXCO) in Busan, Republic of Korea, from November 25 to December 1, 2024, which made progress but failed to complete the treaty due to divergent views on key provisions.
The negotiations, mandated by the United Nations Environment Assembly’s resolution 5/14 in March 2022, seek to address the global plastic pollution crisis, including its impact on marine environments. The process began with INC-1 in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in November 2022, followed by sessions in Paris (June 2023), Nairobi (November 2023), and Ottawa (April 2024). The Busan session saw intense discussions, with contact groups addressing issues like plastic product design, waste management, and finance, but disagreements persisted, particularly over production limits and financial mechanisms. The committee agreed to use the Chair’s text from December 1, 2024, as the starting point for INC-5.2, allowing members to propose modifications. This draft text, developed from contact group outcomes and informal consultations, included provisions for phasing out certain single-use plastics like straws and cutlery by specified dates, establishing a financial mechanism to support developing nations, and promoting circular economy approaches through improved plastic product design. It also outlined measures for managing plastic waste, addressing existing pollution, and ensuring a just transition for workers, while incorporating principles like common but differentiated responsibilities from the Rio Declaration.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), emphasised the urgency, stating, “Plastic pollution is already in nature, in our oceans, and even in our bodies. If we continue on this trajectory, the whole world will be drowning in plastic pollution—with massive consequences for our planetary, economic, and human health.” She urged negotiators to agree on a treaty to avert this future.
Luis Vayas Valdivieso, INC Chair, called the session a “unique and historic opportunity” to bridge differences and protect the environment, human health, and sustainable economies. He highlighted the need for solidarity, particularly for those most affected by plastic pollution. Katrin Schneeberger, Director of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, underscored the crisis’s impact on lakes, wildlife, and health, urging negotiators to craft an effective treaty addressing the full life cycle of plastics.
The Busan session, attended by representatives from 184 countries and 412 non-governmental organisations, made strides in refining draft text but faced challenges, including debates over procedural matters and inclusivity. Some delegations expressed concerns about transparency and the balance of the Chair’s text, while others pushed for ambitious provisions on production reduction and financial support for developing nations. The decision to adjourn and resume in Geneva reflects a commitment to resolve these issues.
Over 3,700 participants, representing 184 countries and 619 observer organisations, registered for INC-5.2 at the Palais des Nations. On August 4, Switzerland hosted a Multi-stakeholder Forum, and UNEP leaders engaged with observers to build momentum. Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, INC Executive Secretary, noted the session’s place in a legacy of multilateral negotiations at the Palais des Nations, stressing the need for a breakthrough.
The treaty aims to incorporate both binding and voluntary measures, guided by principles from the Rio Declaration, and address the full plastic life cycle. Disagreements remain over issues like production caps and funding mechanisms, with developing nations emphasising the need for financial and technical support. The outcome of INC-5.2 will shape global efforts to combat plastic pollution, with implications for ecosystems, economies, and public health worldwide.
– global bihari bureau
