By Benard Ogembo : (ogembobenard@gmail.com)
The Fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC5), tasked with formulating modalities for the gradual end to plastic pollution, ended in utter disappointment after negotiators failed to agree on a landmark treaty.
Over 200 countries negotiating a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, including the destruction of marine life, adjourned to a later date in 2025. The draft text released on Sunday afternoon, after multiple delays, included a wide range of options, reflecting the ongoing level of disagreement.
“Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. The text still has brackets. We have made tangible progress, and I hope the committee can agree to use the draft text as a starting point and basis for negotiation,” said Luis Vayas Valdivieso, INC5 chair.
A week of talks failed to resolve sharp divisions between “high-ambition” countries seeking a globally binding agreement to limit production and phase out harmful chemicals, and “like-minded” nations that want to focus on waste.
“A great leap forward has been made, yet it remains unclear whether the treaty will truly address the full lifecycle of plastics, including criteria for plastic products, production, and supply measures. Additionally, how to finance implementation remains contested,” said Lars Stordal, Principal Expert at GRID-Arendal.
Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, stated, “We have tested the resilience of this planet to its limit. Now is the time for us to push our own limits and honor the trust placed in us.”
When an open plenary session finally convened late on Sunday night, the Rwandan delegate, Juliet Kabera, delivered a powerful and inspiring statement on behalf of 85 countries, calling for an ambitious and transformative global treaty on plastic pollution. Her statement earned a standing ovation when the entire room rose in applause. She accused the “small majority” of countries of stalling the entire process. “If you agree, stand with us. We cannot accept a toothless treaty,” she said.
Earlier during a press conference, there was a powerful plea from Panama, alongside all high-ambition countries, at the global plastic treaty negotiations in Busan. “As we come into the final stages of INC5 negotiations, pushing for a strong treaty, we must not be dragged down by low ambition to deliver a weak one,” said Juan Carlos Monterrey, Special Representative for Climate Change from Panama and the delegation. He added that the treaty must reduce plastic production and address chemicals of concern.
Over the past seven days, 3,300 delegates, including representatives from more than 170 nations and observers from nearly 440 organizations, have been meeting in Busan, Republic of Korea, for INC5.
In her closing remarks, Inger Anderson, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), emphasized that the world’s commitment to ending plastic pollution is clear and undeniable. She commended the negotiators for reaching a greater degree of convergence on the structure and elements of the treaty text, as well as a better understanding of country positions and shared challenges. However, she admitted there is still persistent divergence in critical areas, and more time is needed to address these.
“As we leave Busan, it is clear that there are still promises we must keep to secure a plastic treaty, but it remains clear how much the world demands this deal because we can, and we will,” she said.
Miss Anderson added, “At UNEA 5.2, the world promised to tackle plastic pollution. Here in Busan, talks have moved us closer to agreeing on a global legally binding treaty that will protect our health, our environment, and our future from the onslaught of plastic pollution. Now, at the next round of talks, the world will have the opportunity to finally make that a reality—an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.”
More than 100 countries support setting a target for production cuts, and the majority also back phasing out some chemicals and unnecessary plastic products. However, the position of the world’s top two plastics producers, China and the US, remains unclear. The two countries were notably absent from the stage during a press conference on Sunday by countries urging a strong treaty.
Following INC5, the Committee is expected to request the Executive Director of UNEP to inform delegations of the venue for the resumed fifth session at a set date in 2025.
