Delegates from nearly 190 countries have reconvened in Geneva for a critical round of negotiations under the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to finalize a legally binding global treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution. The talks, taking place from August 5–14, follow a previous failed attempt in Busan, South Korea, in late 2024, where deep divisions among nations prevented consensus on key provisions.
Adopted in March 2022 under UN Environment Assembly Resolution 5/14, the treaty process seeks to address plastic pollution across its full life cycle—from production to disposal—while considering national circumstances and the principles of the Rio Declaration.
Despite growing international concern, negotiations remain at an impasse. Oil-producing nations, including members of the Arab Group, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, have been criticized for focusing solely on waste management while avoiding commitments to reduce plastic production. Backed by a powerful industry lobby, this so-called “petrochemical bloc” led by Saudi Arabia has reportedly sought to weaken the treaty’s ambition.
Key issues still under debate include:
- Capping plastic production, especially single-use plastics, to align with global needs and low recycling rates;
- Phasing out harmful chemicals used in plastic manufacturing, a contentious point with no current agreement;
- Deciding between global mandates and national discretion, especially for countries with differing development levels; and
- Establishing funding mechanisms, including determining who will bear the cost of implementation—governments or industries.
The urgency of action has never been greater. An estimated 460 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, and demand is expected to double by 2050. Plastic pollution has been labelled a “grave, growing, and under-recognised danger” by The Lancet, costing the world over US$1.5 trillion every year. Moreover, plastic production contributes to 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating the climate crisis. Although some countries, like India, have implemented bans on single-use plastics, enforcement remains inconsistent. With the cumulative cost of plastic pollution projected to reach US$281 trillion by 2040, the Geneva talks represent a pivotal moment in securing a robust, enforceable global plastics treaty.