Global plastics treaty talks end without agreement - Trade Treasury Payments

The latest round of negotiations for a legally binding global plastics treaty ended without agreement on Friday, as divisions among member states stalled progress on core provisions. Convened under the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), the two-week meeting in Geneva marked the fifth session in a process launched by the UN Environment Assembly in 2022.

Delegations from over 170 countries had gathered to finalise a treaty aimed at addressing plastic pollution, from production and design to waste management and disposal. Yet, despite sustained calls from small island developing states (SIDS), scientists, and civil society for an ambitious framework, no consensus was reached on the key texts under discussion.

Many delegates have voiced deep disappointment in the outcome, stating that the negotiation process itself had failed to allow for meaningful engagement. Specific concerns included the absence of enforceable provisions on lifecycle regulation, insufficient clarity on financing mechanisms, and limited recognition of the unique vulnerabilities of SIDS.

In a post on Linkedin, Matthew Wilson, Barbados Ambassador to the United Nations, WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva, wrote, “We have been very concerned by the limited actions taken by some Member States to seek meaningful compromise. Too often, positions have remained entrenched, and opportunities for convergence have been allowed to pass by. We ask members to reconsider their red lines.”

The divergence among parties was evident throughout the talks. A core group of countries continued to push for binding global measures (including caps on production and restrictions on chemical additives) while others sought a more flexible, voluntary approach centred on national action plans. 

Despite the outcome, there was a considerable degree of enthusiasm shown by non-state actors, including youth activists, indigenous groups, and technical experts, many of whom played a visible role in shaping discourse throughout the session. 

Modelling by the OECD suggests that without intervention, global plastic waste could nearly triple by 2060. In the marine environment alone, over 11 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually, a figure expected to double within the decade. For small island nations, the implications are especially acute and will have knock-on effects for tourism, fisheries, health, and coastal resilience if not adaquately addressed.

The mandate established under UNEA Resolution 5/14 remains in place, and attention now turns to the sixth and final round of negotiations, currently scheduled for late 2025, where pressure will mount to deliver the outcome the global community has been working toward for the past three years.

Wilson’s post continues: “We owe it to the planet, to future generations, to multilateralism and frankly, to our own word as representatives of our communities and of the voiceless—to lead with purpose, morality and with a global consciousness.”

Whether the outcome of subsequent attempts will reflect the urgency of the crisis remains an open question.