Plastic Pollution Treaty Talks Adjourn Without Consensus
The date for the next round of negotiations is yet to be announced
Despite mounting concerns over the impacts of microplastics on human health and marine ecosystems, global negotiations on the world’s first legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution ended without agreement. After 10 days of deliberations, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) adjourned its resumed fifth session (INC-5.2) in Geneva on 15 August without consensus, leaving the text of the proposed treaty unresolved.
The session drew more than 2,600 participants, including over 1,400 delegates from 183 countries and nearly 1,000 observers from more than 400 organizations. Around 70 ministers and vice ministers also engaged in informal roundtables on the sidelines of the meeting.
French ecology minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher voiced frustration during the closing session, saying she was “enraged because despite genuine efforts by many, and real progress in discussions, no tangible results have been obtained.”
Talks centered on critical issues such as plastic design standards, chemicals of concern, production caps, financing mechanisms, and compliance measures. A Chair’s Text from INC-5.1 in Busan provided the basis for negotiations, with draft and revised proposals circulated. However, entrenched differences—particularly over proposals by the EU and small island states to cap virgin plastic production, strongly opposed by petrochemical-producing nations and the U.S. under President Donald Trump—prevented consensus.
“This has been a hard-fought 10 days against the backdrop of geopolitical complexities, economic challenges, and multilateral strains. However, one thing remains clear: despite these complexities, all countries clearly want to remain at the table,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
INC Chair Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso urged patience and perseverance: “Failing to reach the goal we set for ourselves may bring sadness, even frustration. Yet it should not lead to discouragement. It has not happened yet in Geneva, but I have no doubt that the day will come when the international community will unite its will to safeguard the health of our people.”
Civil society groups, including Indigenous peoples, waste pickers, youth activists, scientists, and artists, also made their presence felt through protests, press briefings, and creative installations around the Palais des Nations.
The INC process began in March 2022 at the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), when Member States adopted a historic resolution to craft a legally binding instrument addressing plastic pollution across its full life cycle. The Committee had aimed to finalize the treaty by the end of 2024, but the Geneva outcome underscores the challenges ahead.
“As this session concludes, we leave with an understanding of the challenges ahead and a renewed and shared commitment to address them. Progress must now be our obligation,” said Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of the INC Secretariat.
The date for the next round of negotiations is yet to be announced.
The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy
