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Progress Made in Global Efforts to Combat Plastic Pollution
In a recent session aimed at addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution, delegates from around the world recognized the necessity for additional time to reconcile differing viewpoints and enhance the treaty’s framework.
The session, which commenced on November 25, attracted over 3,300 participants, including representatives from more than 170 countries and upwards of 440 observer organizations.
During these discussions, delegates reached an agreement on a “Chair’s Text” curated by Ambassador Luis Vaya’s Valdivieso of Ecuador, who chairs the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC). This text is expected to serve as the foundation for ongoing negotiations.
A Firm Commitment to Change
During the closing moments of the session, Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), noted the significant strides made, while also pointing out the challenges that still lie ahead.
“The global resolve to eliminate plastic pollution is unmistakable,” she stated. “Here in Busan, our discussions have brought us closer to formulating a global legally binding treaty that is essential for safeguarding our health, the environment, and future generations against the threats posed by plastic pollution,” she expressed.
Andersen acknowledged “good progress” made during the session but cautioned that “significant differences” still exist in several critical areas.
“Negotiators have achieved a greater convergence regarding the treaty’s structure and core elements, alongside a deeper understanding of the positions of various countries and the challenges they collectively face. Nonetheless, ongoing divergence in key issues necessitates further deliberation,” Andersen added.
The INC has scheduled its next round of discussions for 2025, with decisions regarding the venue still pending.
The Path to Ambitious Goals
Chair Vayas emphasized the ambitious nature of the INC Committee’s mandate.
“Realizing such ambition requires time. Many vital elements are in place, and the developments in Busan have set us firmly on a successful trajectory,” he noted.
He urged all delegations to persist in fostering constructive dialogues and building connections, reminding them that the purpose of their efforts is both noble and urgent: to mitigate the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on ecosystems and human health.
The Ubiquitous Challenge of Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution continues to present a formidable challenge across the globe.
Currently, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks filled with plastic waste are deposited into oceans, rivers, and lakes each day, endangering both wildlife and human health. Microplastics have infiltrated every corner of the planet, including our food and water sources, and have even been discovered in human organs and the placenta of newborns.
The treaty, initiated by a UN Environment Assembly resolution in 2022, aims to tackle the entire life cycle of plastic—from its production and design to its disposal—through a legally binding international agreement.
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