INC-5 negotiations failed: An international plastics convention has yet to be formed and will be resumed in 2025

The INC-5 conference, which attracted worldwide attention, ended in Busan, South Korea, on December 1, local time. Unfortunately, the conference failed to reach a global convention on plastics.

The conference will use the "INC Chairman's Draft text" as the starting point for negotiations at the resumed session in 2025. The timing and location of negotiations in 2025 are unknown.

Some countries have said they are ready to push for a strong convention at the next meeting, while others, including Saudi Arabia, have asked not to hold talks until mid-2025.

INC-5 meeting site.

The Busan Conference achieved greater consensus

"Through the Busan conference, negotiators reached a greater degree of consensus on the structure and elements of the Convention text, and gained a better understanding of countries' positions and challenges. But it is clear that in key areas negotiators remain divided and more time is needed to resolve these issues." Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Hugo Schally, the European Commission's Director General for the Environment and an adviser on international negotiations, said: "The EU is disappointed by the outcome of INC-5. But we are also encouraged that more and more countries share this ambition. We will work in good faith with other countries to move towards the goal of eliminating plastic pollution."

There is disagreement on some key issues

The key issues that have not been agreed on in the draft text include:

• Binding targets to cut plastic production

• Developing countries provide financial support

• Regulate hazardous chemicals

More than 100 countries, including small island states, African countries and some European and developing countries such as Norway and Mexico, have backed the proposal to set a global target to reduce plastic production. A few petrochemical producers, such as Saudi Arabia, are strongly opposed to reducing plastic production, calling for attention to waste plastic management.

Another key area of contention is financial support for developing countries. At least 126 countries have called for the creation of an independent fund to assist in the implementation of the Convention. However, the Chairman's draft weakened this requirement by providing only optional wording and did not establish a charge for polymer production.

The world is united in its commitment to tackling plastic pollution

Despite the differences between the representatives of all parties, the "YA-type rubber and Plastic network" as a media representative at the INC-5 Busan conference site, still can feel the commitment to eliminate plastic pollution around the world is clear and unanimous, and look forward to the early conclusion of this international convention that can protect our health, the environment and the future from plastic pollution.

About INC Meetings

In March 2022, the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) adopted a historic resolution aimed at developing an international legally binding instrument to address plastic pollution, including in the Marine environment.

According to the resolution, the international Plastics Convention instrument will address the entire life cycle of plastics, including production, design and disposal, based on an integrated approach, and five rounds of negotiations (INC meetings) are planned to reach an international plastics convention.

Prior to the Busan Talks (INC-5), the previous four rounds were held in Uruguay, France, Kenya and Canada.

Source: AdsaleCPRJ