From August 5 to 14, 2025, representatives from over 180 countries convened in Geneva for the sixth and potentially final round of negotiations aimed at establishing a legally binding global treaty to combat plastic pollution. This session, known as INC-5.2, follows previous meetings in Busan, South Korea, and other locations, all striving to address the escalating environmental and health impacts of plastic waste.
The primary focus of the Geneva negotiations was to finalize the treaty text, which will be presented for adoption at a future Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries. Key issues under discussion included the regulation of plastic production, the management of chemical additives in plastics, and the provision of financial support to developing nations for treaty implementation. Delegates emphasized the urgency of a comprehensive approach that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal, to effectively mitigate environmental and health risks.
Environmental organizations, such as Greenpeace, have advocated for ambitious measures within the treaty, including significant reductions in plastic production and the phase-out of single-use plastics. They argue that without stringent regulations, plastic pollution will continue to pose severe threats to ecosystems and human health. The negotiations in Geneva were seen as a critical opportunity to achieve a global consensus on these measures and to set a precedent for international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges.
As the negotiations progressed, it became evident that achieving consensus on contentious issues, particularly those related to production limits and chemical regulations, remained challenging. However, the commitment of participating nations to finalize the treaty text underscored the global recognition of the need for coordinated action to tackle plastic pollution. The outcomes of the Geneva session were anticipated to pave the way for the adoption of the treaty, marking a significant milestone in global environmental governance.