“We have not yet reached the summit of our efforts,” said Luis Vayas, Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, during the closing plenary of the INC’s fifth session (INC-5). Despite long hours of difficult negotiations, delegates were unable to reach agreement on a new treaty by the end of INC-5, as planned.

According to the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary report of the meeting, delegates agreed to suspend the session and reconvene in 2025.

Delegates also agreed to base future discussions on a Chair’s text of 1 December 2024. Based on an initial non-paper, circulated by Chair Vayas weeks before INC-5, this text represents a culmination of efforts to reflect discussions at the meeting.

The ENB summary notes that the non-paper was discussed in contact groups for three days, following which a revised version was issued. “This revised version was discussed in informal consultations, open only to states, raising questions about participation and inclusiveness,” ENB writes.

While stakeholders raised concerns about a lack of transparency, many felt INC-5 “made considerable progress to streamline ideas, and understand ‘red line’ issues in an effort to bridge the considerable gaps between states on important issues.” ENB points to “constructive conversations” on issues such as product design and waste management. Delegates diverged on whether plastic products and chemicals of concern and plastic supply and production fall within the resolution mandate for the talks, among other issues.

Progress on finance – “a common thread that delays agreements,” was similarly limited, but “a number of ideas were brought to the table to further discussions, including the imposition of a primary plastic polymer fee, and a remediation fund utilizing both public and private sources of finance.”

“Overarching to all of this,” ENB notes, “was whether the future treaty will include mandatory or voluntary measures, and whether the measures adopted will apply at the global or national levels.” These key issues remained largely unresolved.

The first session of INC-5 convened in Busan, Republic of Korea, from 25 November to 2 December 2024. Ahead of INC-5’s second session, a lot remains unclear, the ENB analysis of the meeting notes, including the dates and venue of the resumed meeting and its working modalities. [ENB Coverage of INC-5]