Global plastic treaty talks ‘INC-5.2’ ended without any agreement in Geneva

The INC-5.2 meeting was held in Geneva, Switzerland to agree on a plastic pollution treaty by the year 2022 to save the world from plastic pollution. The talks failed as consensus could not be reached on key issues.

• The United Nations Environment Assembly passed a resolution to create a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution by the year 2022, aimed at addressing the entire lifecycle of plastics (from design to disposal).
• The Geneva talks (INC-5.2, August 2025) were intended to be the final round of talks to adopt the treaty.
• The talks failed as consensus could not be reached on key issues, such as whether the treaty should put limits on new plastic production or instead focus on waste management, reuse and better design, etc.
• The dialogue brought together more than 2,600 participants, including 1,400 delegates from 183 countries and nearly 1,000 observers representing more than 400 organizations.

Key points of the dialogue

• Three points are important: first, predictability of the regulatory framework; second, a technology-agnostic approach to regulation; and third, less ideology and more pragmatism in the regulatory framework.

Key meetings

• March 2, 2022, Nairobi – Resolution 5/14 adopted; INC process established
• INC-1 – November 28 – December 2, 2022, Punta del Este, Uruguay
• INC-2 – May 29 – June 2, 2023, Paris, France
• INC-3 – November 13 – 19, 2023, Nairobi, Kenya. Ecuador elected Chair.
• INC-4 - April 23 - 29, 2024, Ottawa, Canada
• INC-5.1 - November 25 - December 1, 2024, Busan, South Korea

The need for a global plastic treaty

• Plastic production: Over 460 million metric tons/year.
• Recycling: Only 9%
• Pollution: 20 million tons enter the environment annually.

Future projections

• By the year 2060, plastic waste is estimated to triple.
• Economic damage: $281 trillion (2016-2040).
• Effects on environment and health
• Plastics contribute to 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Major cause of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
• Microplastics are infiltrating oceans and food chains.

Conclusion

• Plastic pollution has become a transboundary crisis, like climate change, that requires a coordinated global response. An inclusive treaty can set global standards, provide the necessary financing for circular solutions, and protect ecosystems, human health, and livelihoods.

Global Initiatives

• UN Clean Seas Campaign: Promotes the right to a healthy environment, including plastic-free oceans.
• Basel Convention: It includes a set of actions to prevent and minimize the generation of plastic waste; reduce the risk from hazardous components in plastic waste, etc.