Lacking advancement in UN talks regarding the plastic treaty - Consultation held with Commission regarding draft legislation on safeguarding workers from ionizing radiation hazards.
The United Nations (UN) negotiations on a global plastics treaty in Geneva, Switzerland, are currently facing a deadlock due to deep divisions among countries. The talks, which began on August 5 under the leadership of Luis Vayas Valdivieso, have hit a snag, with progress stalled just before the scheduled deadline[1][4].
The crux of the issue lies in the conflicting national interests over whether to limit plastic production. Uruguay, a participating country, and several Latin American countries are advocating for ambitious global obligations to end plastic pollution. However, their positions conflict with oil-producing states, who oppose production limits due to economic interests[2].
The negotiations see an unprecedented industry presence, with over 230 fossil fuel and chemical lobbyists attending, creating tensions with environmental groups accusing them of undermining strong treaty measures[3]. This industry influence has led to a draft text that does not include limits on plastic production or regulation of chemicals in plastics, prompting protests from countries like Colombia, Uruguay, Panama, Mexico, Chile, Ghana, Canada, and groups like the EU and small island developing states[2].
These delegations consider the draft unbalanced, lacking ambition and binding commitments. Uruguay's delegate, presumably Luis Vaya, stated, "Consensus cannot be used as an excuse not to achieve our goals." In contrast, Saudi Arabia explained, "We can't do everything everywhere at once." Kuwait's representatives countered, stating, "Consensus must be the basis of all our decisions."[1]
The draft contract of the plastic treaty has grown from 22 to 35 pages after four days of negotiations, with numerous amendments added, potentially making the discussions more complex[1]. Annually, more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced, with half of it intended for single-use products. Less than ten percent of plastic waste is currently recycled, and plastic waste is causing extensive environmental pollution globally. Microplastics have even been found in the human body[1].
As of August 14, 2025, the talks are described as near collapse or severely gridlocked, with expectations for a revised draft to be produced but many fearing breakthrough is unlikely without major compromises[1][2][5]. The Geneva conference is attended by 184 countries and non-governmental organizations, and it is scheduled to continue until Thursday[1].
The stalled negotiations highlight the complexities and challenges in achieving global agreements on critical environmental issues. The UN plastics treaty negotiations in Geneva serve as a microcosm of the geopolitical and economic tensions that can hinder progress towards a more sustainable future.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, August 14). UN plastics treaty talks 'near collapse'. BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56666308 [2] Reuters. (2025, August 14). UN plastics treaty talks in Geneva stall over production limits. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-plastics-treaty-talks-geneva-stall-over-production-limits-2025-08-14/ [3] The Guardian. (2025, August 14). Fossil fuel and chemical lobbyists swarm UN plastics talks in Geneva. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/14/fossil-fuel-and-chemical-lobbyists-swarm-un-plastics-talks-in-geneva [4] The New York Times. (2025, August 14). UN Plastics Talks in Geneva Stall, Threatening Global Agreement. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/climate/un-plastics-talks-geneva-stall.html [5] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 14). UN plastics treaty talks in Geneva 'near collapse'. Al Jazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/14/un-plastics-treaty-talks-in-geneva-near-collapse
- The UN negotiations on a global plastics treaty in Geneva, Switzerland, highlight the need for increased cooperation among countries to address the issue of climate-change and environmental-science, as divisions over limiting plastic production pose a significant challenge.
- As the negotiations progress, it is crucial for all parties, including those representing science, policy-and-legislation, politics, general-news, and environmental groups, to cooperate in finding creative solutions to prevent plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices.
- In light of the complexities and geopolitical tensions revealed during the talks, it is essential for the involved national delegations to prioritize compromise and cooperation to ultimately achieve a comprehensive, ambitious, and binding global plastics treaty that will help protect our environment for future generations.
