Page 142 - CW E-Magazine (10-12-2024)

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INTERNATIONAL TREATY

Plastic pollution negotiations adjourn with new text

and a follow-up session planned

Countries negotiating an inter-
national legally binding instrument
on plastic pollution, including in the
marine environment, adjourned their
fi fth session on December 2 with agree-
ment on a ‘Chair’s Text’ that will serve
as the starting point for negotiations at
a resumed session in 2025.

Over 3,300 delegates – including
Members representing more than 170
nations and Observers from more than gramme (UNEP). “This week’s meet- purpose is noble and urgent: to reverse
440 organizations – have been meet- ing has made good progress towards and remedy the severe effects of plas-
ing in Busan, South Korea, since 25 securing the deal the world demands. tic pollution on ecosystems and human
November for the fi fth session of the Through the Busan talks, negotiators health,” he added.
Intergovernmental Negotiating Com- have reached a greater degree of con-
mittee (INC-5). Through the week, vergence on the structure and elements In March 2022, at the resumed fi fth
Members negotiated two documents by of the treaty text, as well as a better session of the UN Environment Assem-
the INC Chair, Ambassador Luis Vayas understanding of country positions and bly (UNEA-5.2), a historic resolution
Valdivieso, before agreeing on the shared challenges. But it is clear there was adopted to develop an international
closing day to transmit the Chair’s Text is persisting divergence in critical areas legally binding instrument on plastic
to the resumed session. and more time is needed for these areas pollution, including in the marine envi-
to be addressed.” ronment. The instrument, according to
Progress in Busan was blocked by a the resolution, is to be based on a com-
small number of mostly oil-producing “At UNEA 5.2, the world promised prehensive approach that addresses the
nations including Saudi Arabia and to tackle plastic pollution. Now, at the full life cycle of plastic, including its
Russia that rejected new restrictions, next round of talks, the world will have production, design, and disposal.
arguing that curbs on output and chemi- the opportunity to fi nally make that a rea-
cals fell outside of mandate of the nego- lity. An opportunity we cannot afford “We have tested the resilience of
tiations.India and China also did not to miss,” she added. Following INC-5, this planet to its limit, now is the time
support the production caps. Opponents the Committee is expected to request for us push our own limits and honour
insisted the emphasis should be on the Executive Director of UNEP to in- the trust placed in us – we have no
improving trash collection and recycling form delegations of the venue for the choice but to succeed. You have the
capacity. Globally, less than 10% of resumed fi fth session. INC Secretariat’s and my unwavering
plastic waste is currently recycled. support to get this done,” said Jyoti
“Our mandate has always been ambi- Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of
“The world’s commitment to end- tious. But ambition takes time to land. the INC Secretariat.
ing plastic pollution is clear and un- We have many of the elements that we
deniable. Here in Busan, talks have need, and Busan has put us fi rmly on a INC-5 follows four earlier rounds
moved us closer to agreeing on a global pathway to success,” said Ambassador of negotiations: INC-1, which took
legally binding treaty that will protect Vayas. “I call on all delegations to con- place in Punta del Este, in November
our health, our environment, and our tinue making paths, building bridges, 2022; INC-2, which was held in Paris in
future from the onslaught of plastic pollu- and engaging in dialogue.” June 2023; INC-3, which happened in
tion,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Nairobi in November 2023; and INC- 4,
Director of the UN Environment Pro- “Let us always remember that our held in Ottawa in April 2024.

142 Chemical Weekly December 10, 2024

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