Global plastic pollution treaty negotiations resume in Geneva's fifth session.

Global plastic pollution treaty negotiations resume in Geneva's fifth session.

The Ongoing Quest for a Global Plastics Treaty: A Timeline of Negotiations

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 is taking place in Geneva from 5th to 14th August 2025. This historic event follows a series of key meetings and developments since 2022, as the international community works towards addressing the global plastic pollution crisis.

A Timeline of Negotiations

The process began with a meeting of the ad hoc open-ended working group in May 2022, held in Dakar, Senegal. This initial gathering established a timeline for subsequent negotiations, rules of procedure, and the initial scope of work for the INC.

• May 2022: Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group (Dakar, Senegal)

The first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1) was held in November 2022, in Punta del Este, Uruguay, with over 2,300 delegates from 160 countries participating. The agenda included the formal adoption of the rules of procedure.

• INC-1 (November 28 – December 2, 2022): (Punta del Este, Uruguay)

The second meeting, INC-2, continued the negotiation process, focusing on the development of a global agreement. It took place in Paris, France, in June 2023.

• INC-2 (May 29 – June 2, 2023): (Paris, France)

The third session, INC-3, was held at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2023. Discussions centered on refining the treaty's scope and ambition.

• INC-3 (November 13–19, 2023): (Nairobi, Kenya)

The fourth session, INC-4, was notable for the presence of 196 fossil fuel lobbyists, highlighting industry interests in the negotiations. It took place in Ottawa, Canada, in April 2024.

• INC-4 (April 23–29, 2024): (Ottawa, Canada)

The first part of the fifth session, INC-5.1, focused on advancing the treaty draft, setting the stage for the final negotiations. It took place in Busan, South Korea, in November 2024.

• INC-5.1 (November 25 – December 1, 2024): (Busan, South Korea)

Key Events and Issues

The aim of INC-5.2 is to finalize and approve the text of the agreement and forward it for consideration and adoption at a future Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries. However, the session ended without an agreement due to disagreements over production limits, chemicals, and decision-making processes.

• Sticking Points:
• Plastic Production Limits: Many countries favored reducing plastic production made from petroleum and phasing out chemicals with negative health impacts. However, these measures were opposed by industry groups and oil-producing nations.
• Scope and Ambition: Disagreements persisted over the treaty's scope, ambition, and whether measures should be globally binding or national and voluntary.
• Financing Mechanism: The design of a finance mechanism and means of implementation was another contentious issue.

Next Steps

Despite the failure to reach an agreement, member states remain committed to continuing negotiations. The UN Secretary-General expressed support for ongoing efforts to address plastic pollution. The agreement, if approved, will be forwarded for consideration and adoption at a future Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries.

The session is taking place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 5th to 14th August 2025. With more than 3,700 participants registered to participate, representing 184 countries and over 619 observer organizations, this historic opportunity for the international community to bridge differences and find common ground on plastic pollution is not to be missed.

1. The ongoing negotiations for a global plastics treaty in Geneva from 5th to 14th August 2025, a crucial step in the process that began in May 2022, are significant within the context of environmental-science and policy-and-legislation, as the international community continues to address the plastic pollution crisis.
2. During the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2), held in Paris in June 2023, discussions focused on the development of a global agreement, a development that highlights the intersection of science, politics, and general-news, as the world grapples with the ecological implications of plastic pollution.
3. The timeline of negotiations for a global plastics treaty, which includes the ad hoc open-ended working group meeting in Dakar in May 2022, the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1) in Punta del Este, Uruguay in November 2022, and subsequent sessions in Paris, Nairobi, Ottawa, and Busan, mirrors the circular economy concept, where waste is redirected as resources, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the global economy, science, and the environment.

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