The fifth, and what was expected to be the final, session of negotiations on the new UN Plastics Treaty has closed in Busan, South Korea with insufficient progress and negotiations being extended. Friends of the Earth International is now looking towards the INC-5.2 to engage constructively in the conclusion of an ambitious and binding Plastics Treaty. We leave with disappointment yet determination for the fight against plastic pollution, for peoples and the planet.
“Insufficient progress was made at the UN Plastics Treaty negotiations in Busan to address plastic pollution, at every stage of its life cycle. Yet, over 85 governments supported reduction of plastic production, regulation of chemicals of concern and a new financial mechanism to enable action in the Global South. The blockers in the fossil fuel and plastics industry will not be able to delay the movement to break free from plastic for much longer, as people across the world continue to demand action and system change. Those who block global efforts are responsible for harm caused daily from plastic pollution to human health and the environment.”
Hemantha WIthanage
Friends of the Earth International
“Civil society, Indigenous people, waste pickers and affected peoples were locked out of the negotiations for days. Meanwhile, 220 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists registered to attend INC-5, the highest at any of the Plastics Treaty negotiations. The process is under attack by corporate power and a small minority of countries intent on nothing but blocking, weakening and delaying. As we move forward with the Chair’s non-paper which was approved by member states at INC-5 as a basis for future negotiations, we demand a democratic, transparent and inclusive process for an ambitious Plastics Treaty“
Sam Cossar-Gilbert
Friends of the Earth International
“The updated non-paper by the Chair outlines a framework for measures across the full lifecycle of plastics which is an important step. Still, weak voluntary language could undermine these commitments. Without stronger measures on health, we risk this becoming a merely waste-focused Treaty that would recirculate toxic chemicals under the guise of a “circular economy,” and continue to allow plastics to threaten our health and poison communities.”
Gohar Khojayan
Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment / Friends of the Earth Armenia
“An agreement on a plastic production cap would make this Treaty especially unique, holding all countries to a high standard and creating a level playing field in addressing the crisis. Still, as things stand there is no agreed global reduction target so we’re looking ahead to the next year for States to set one by the COP30. Now is the time to push for an ambitious target to turn the tap off on plastics and ensure it is legally binding.”
Rico Euripidou
groundWork / Friends of the Earth South Africa
“Finally, we’ve started to move the needle in addressing the devastating global waste trade. We are pleased to see that there is now a provision in the Chair’s text that developed country Parties that are Parties of the Basel Convention must take measures to prohibit the export of plastic waste to developing countries. Still, we’re disappointed by the removal of language on waste hierarchy and the inclusion of false solutions like waste-to-energy. We need a Treaty that puts an end to the dumping of waste from rich countries onto the Global South, an end to waste colonialism.”
Mageswari Sangaralingam
Sahabat Alam Malaysia / Friends of the Earth Malaysia
Further information
1. “Standing up for the ambition” Statement on Indispensable Elements for an Effective Treaty – signed by 85 member states (see here)
2. Chair non-paper 4 was developed and accepted by members states as a basis for future negotiations (see here)
