As the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on plastic pollution concludes, negotiators are urged to maintain their momentum in finalizing a global treaty.
With the adoption of a ‘Chair’s Text’ that outlines the key structure and elements of the treaty, Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso called for continued dialogue and collaboration to resolve critical divergences in the upcoming 2025 session.
The treaty aims to address the full lifecycle of plastic, tackling its production, design, and disposal to safeguard both human health and the environment from the growing plastic pollution crisis.
The INC-5 session took place in Busan, South Korea, from 25 November to 2 December 2024, gathering over 3,300 delegates, including representatives from more than 170 nations and 440 organizations.
During the week-long event, negotiators worked through two key documents presented by the INC Chair, moving closer to a globally binding treaty that will address plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments.
While significant progress was made, with a greater degree of convergence on the treaty’s structure, key areas still show divergence. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), emphasized the progress made, stating, “This week’s meeting has made good progress towards securing the deal the world demands.” However, she also stressed the urgency of resolving these remaining issues at the next round of talks.
Ambassador Vayas concluded the session by highlighting the importance of continued commitment, urging all delegations to build on the progress achieved in Busan: “Our purpose is noble and urgent: to reverse and remedy the severe effects of plastic pollution on ecosystems and human health.” The next round of negotiations is expected to take place in 2025, where countries will work to finalize the treaty and address remaining challenges.
