Historic Session in Busan Aims to Finalize Treaty to Combat Plastic Pollution

The fifth and decisive session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) opened today in Busan, Republic of Korea, with a focus on finalizing a global legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments. The session, running from 25 November to 1 December, is expected to conclude the negotiations and solidify the text of the international agreement.

The opening day saw the INC approving the use of the Chair’s Non-Paper 3 as the cornerstone for negotiations, setting the stage for focused discussions in the coming days. The session brings together representatives from more than 170 countries, with over 3,800 participants registered, marking the highest attendance across all five INC meetings.

In a video message, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea highlighted the urgency of addressing plastic pollution. “The excessive reliance of humanity on the convenience of plastics has resulted in an exponential increase in plastic waste,” President Yoon stated. “The waste accumulated in our oceans and rivers now jeopardizes the lives of future generations. I sincerely hope that over the coming week, all member states will stand together in solidarity to open a new historic chapter by finalizing a treaty on plastic pollution.”

The INC-5 session follows previous rounds of negotiations in Punta del Este (2022), Paris (2023), Nairobi (2023), and Ottawa (2024). Each round brought nations closer to an agreement on how to tackle the global plastic crisis, which continues to threaten ecosystems, public health, and economies worldwide.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), spoke passionately about the importance of these talks. “The moment of truth is here to end plastic pollution. Not a single person on this planet wants to witness plastic in their communities or washing up on their shores,” she emphasized. “We have a historic moment to end the world’s plastic pollution crisis and protect our environment, our health, and our future.”

The negotiations come at a critical time as global concerns over plastic waste, particularly microplastics, reach unprecedented levels. Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso, Chair of the INC, called for collaboration and innovation to create a treaty that addresses the full scope of the plastic problem. “Let us harness every tool of multilateralism, every ounce of creativity, and every moment of dialogue to overcome our differences and craft a treaty as ambitious as our collective will allows,” he said.

The INC-5 meeting has attracted widespread participation, including over 600 observer organizations. The outcomes of these negotiations will not only shape the future of global plastic pollution control but also pave the way for concrete action to tackle one of the planet’s most pressing environmental issues.

Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of the INC, stressed the importance of translating the treaty into real-world action. “The success of these negotiations will directly shape the world we live in – now and in the future – because once the ink is dry, words must be followed by action,” she said. “We should all have our eyes on this instrument’s implementation.”