Countdown to Implementation of Global Plastic Pollution Agreement: Only Four Days Remaining
The United Nations is currently negotiating a groundbreaking global treaty on plastic pollution, aimed at addressing the growing issue of plastic waste and its impact on both the environment and human health. However, the talks in Geneva have hit a roadblock, with the latest round (INC-5.2) held in August 2025 failing to produce a clear text due to deep divisions among countries [1][3][4].
The main point of contention revolves around the treaty's purpose and scope. A majority of countries advocate for strong, binding measures across the full lifecycle of plastics—from design and production to disposal and waste management—to effectively combat plastic pollution and protect marine environments. However, petrochemical-producing states and fossil fuel industry interests have taken a blocking stance, opposing stricter and enforceable rules [2][3].
The deadlock centres on several key issues:
- Whether the treaty should enforce binding rules covering all stages of plastics, including design, production, consumption, and waste management.
- The ambition level of measures to reduce plastic pollution, with ambitious countries pushing for actionable, verifiable targets.
- Inclusion of specific provisions to regulate harmful plastic waste types, such as ghost fishing gear, which has been weakened due to opposition.
This impasse reflects underlying conflicts between environmental priorities and economic interests linked to petrochemical and plastic production. Over the past three years and six rounds, negotiations have spanned, but remain stalled [1][2][3].
Observers emphasise that reforming the negotiation process and strategies will be necessary to break the deadlock and achieve a global agreement moving forward [1][2][3].
Meanwhile, a faction known as the "ambitious" group seeks radical action in the treaty, including measures to reduce the harm caused by plastic waste and phase out dangerous chemicals. Notably, the United States and India align with the Like-Minded Group, consisting of oil-producing states such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, Iran, and Malaysia, which advocates for a focus on waste management in the plastic pollution treaty [5].
The talks resumed on August 10 after a day off, with the focus on setting out the way forward for addressing plastic pollution [6]. The first international accord on plastic pollution is being sculpted, and it is hoped that future negotiations will lead to a comprehensive solution to this pressing global issue.
[1] United Nations Environment Programme. (2025). Fifth session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop a legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the prevention of marine pollution by plastic litter and microplastics. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/intergovernmentalprocesses/MarinePlasticLitter/
[2] United Nations. (2025). Resuming talks on global plastic pollution treaty. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/news/2025/08/resuming-talks-on-global-plastic-pollution-treaty
[3] Reuters. (2025). UN talks on plastic pollution treaty hit roadblock. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-plastic-pollution-idUSKCN2531UO
[4] BBC News. (2025). UN plastic pollution treaty talks fail to reach agreement. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58772540
[5] The Guardian. (2025). US and India join oil-producing states in blocking ambitious plastic pollution treaty. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/06/us-and-india-join-oil-producing-states-in-blocking-ambitious-plastic-pollution-treaty
[6] UN News. (2025). UN talks on plastic pollution treaty resume after a day off. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/08/1077432
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