Final negotiations for global plastic treaty begin

Negotiators from nearly 200 countries have gathered in Busan, South Korea, for the fifth and final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to finalize a global treaty aimed at tackling plastic pollution. This landmark effort, launched by the United Nations Environment Assembly in 2022, seeks to create a legally binding instrument that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production and design to disposal. With the world producing 460 million tons of plastic annually—much of it single-use—the urgency of these negotiations cannot be overstated. 

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, threatening ecosystems, human health, and livelihoods. From marine environments inundated with waste to microplastics in our bloodstreams, the consequences of plastic misuse are far-reaching. If left unchecked, experts warn that by 2050 there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish. The treaty’s comprehensive approach aims to reverse these trends by promoting measures that reduce plastic production, phase out single-use plastics, and manage waste more effectively. However, as negotiations progress, sharp divisions among nations have slowed the process, leaving the path to consensus fraught with challenges. 

Countries such as Norway, Rwanda, and the European Union have championed ambitious measures to cap plastic production and eliminate hazardous chemicals used in plastics. They argue that only by addressing plastic at its source can the crisis be meaningfully mitigated. On the other hand, major plastic-producing nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia have expressed strong reservations, contending that such restrictions could disrupt their economies. These nations favor an approach focused on improving recycling and waste management systems rather than limiting production. This fundamental disagreement over how to tackle the problem has led to heated debates, with some delegates describing progress as "very, very slow." 

Observers have noted that Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other oil-rich nations are particularly resistant to measures that could curtail the supply of raw materials for plastic production. These countries have proposed amendments to remove key provisions aimed at limiting new plastic production, warning that such measures extend beyond the treaty’s intended focus on pollution and risk creating economic instability. The resulting stalemate has frustrated delegates from smaller nations, many of whom bear the brunt of the plastic crisis. A representative from a small island state remarked that certain countries are “willfully impeding progress” to protect their own interests. 

Despite the gridlock, there have been moments of optimism. Discussions on limiting “problematic” plastic products and chemicals have seen some alignment, offering hope that consensus can be reached on at least partial measures. Environmental organizations and scientific coalitions have urged negotiators to stay ambitious, emphasizing that incremental actions will not be enough to address the crisis. More than 900 independent scientists have signed a declaration calling for significant reductions in plastic production and the elimination of hazardous chemicals, pointing to the inadequacy of voluntary commitments or a weak treaty. 

The voices of the most affected regions have also been critical in shaping the negotiations. The Pacific Islands, among the areas hardest hit by plastic pollution, have consistently pushed for stronger interventions. These communities, disproportionately impacted by the triple threats of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, are demanding that the treaty prioritize ambitious measures to safeguard their livelihoods. Their advocacy underscores the global inequities of the crisis: while contributing minimally to plastic waste, they face devastating consequences from its proliferation. 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a treaty that is "ambitious, credible, and just," urging negotiators to seize the opportunity to transform the world’s consumption and production patterns. He emphasized that solutions must address the full lifecycle of plastics, from reducing production and phasing out single-use plastics to improving waste management and promoting alternatives. Guterres warned that failure to act decisively could entrench existing inequalities, shifting the burden of pollution onto vulnerable communities and future generations. 

Human rights experts have also weighed in, advocating for transparency, accountability, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups in treaty provisions. They warn that without explicit protections, developing nations may bear an undue share of responsibility for managing the global plastic scourge. Measures such as mandatory producer contributions to a global fund and safeguards for waste pickers—who collect 60% of recycled plastics globally—are seen as essential to ensuring a fair and just transition.