In the lead-up to the fourth part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution (INC-5.4), INC Chair Julio Cordano (Chile) outlined a methodology to advance on the substantive work, identified a set of objectives to contribute to capturing and consolidating progress, and formulated criteria to organize the sequence of topics that will be discussed.

In a letter dated 16 April 2026, the INC Chair highlights the following complementary objectives that he describes as the “four Cs”:

• Conceptual discussions, recognizing that some areas will require further discussions to fully grasp the priorities and the rationale of bridging proposals;
• Clarity in the text, bearing in mind the need to bring conceptual understanding to a textual level where an informal reference document could serve as a basis for further work;
• Connections between parts of the instrument, which can unlock further understanding and support progress towards consensus solutions; and
• Comprehensive view of the instrument, considering the future international legally binding instrument (ILBI) must be coherent, respond to the mandate, complementary to other relevant legal regimes, and “sensitive to national circumstances and therefore useful for all.”

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The Chair appeals to INC members’ sense of urgency to build on the work conducted thus far and calls upon them to “maintain steady progress in a structured and predictable manner.” To that end, he proposes three criteria to organize the sequence of topics for discussion:

• Have a balanced approach between all issues under consideration, by reaffirming points where higher levels of convergence can be identified and exploring areas where deeper common understanding is needed to achieve consensus;
• Address connections between topics, to enable the exploration of possible interactions for a combined analysis; and
• Take stock and allow time to reflect on the overall direction, make adjustments if needed, and identify potential breakthroughs or new ideas.

Cordano proposes that the upcoming meetings apply this methodology, suggesting each meeting could be followed by a summary note developed under the Chair’s responsibility. The goal is to have an informal reference document after the informal in-person Heads of Delegation meeting in Nairobi, taking place from 30 June to 3 July. [Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution]