Geneva, August 5, 2025 — Delegates from more than 170 nations gathered today at the United Nations’ Palais des Nations to begin the final scheduled round of negotiations for a landmark Global Plastics Treaty. The talks, known formally as INC-5.2, are widely seen as the world’s last best chance to secure a legally binding agreement to curb plastic pollution – a crisis that has grown exponentially over the past half-century and now threatens ecosystems, economies, and human health.
Billed by many as the “Paris Agreement for Plastics,” the treaty seeks to address the full life cycle of plastic, from production to disposal. But deep divisions remain over the path forward. As negotiators return to the table in Geneva, the clock is ticking.
VIDEO – INC-5.2 on plastic pollution (part 1)
A Crisis Decades in the Making
Plastic production has increased more than 200-fold since 1950, from 2 million tonnes to over 450 million tonnes annually. By 2040, production is projected to grow by another 70% unless urgent action is taken. Only a small fraction of plastic is ever recycled – most ends up in landfills, waterways, or the environment, with microplastics now found in the air, soil, oceans, and even human bloodstreams.
In 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly agreed to develop a legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution. Since then, a series of negotiating sessions have taken place, culminating in what was expected to be a decisive meeting last December in Busan, South Korea.
But the talks in Busan collapsed under the weight of opposing visions. While a growing coalition of countries called for mandatory caps on virgin plastic production, oil-producing nations and others pushed back, insisting the treaty should focus on waste management and recycling instead. With no agreement reached, the negotiations were extended to Geneva for what is widely understood to be the final opportunity to secure a deal within the original mandate.
The Dividing Lines
Central to the debate is whether the treaty will impose limits on plastic production. Over 100 countries—supported by major corporations including Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Walmart – have endorsed binding global targets to reduce the manufacture of new plastic. Advocates argue that without upstream action, recycling and cleanup alone will never be sufficient to stem the tide.
Opposing this view are countries that rely heavily on fossil fuel and petrochemical industries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, and the United States. They favor a treaty that prioritizes national discretion and emphasizes downstream solutions, such as improved recycling infrastructure.
Other unresolved issues include whether to restrict toxic additives, ban specific single-use products, adopt global design standards, and how to enforce compliance. There is also growing debate over whether the treaty should retain consensus-based decision-making or move to a majority-vote model to avoid future deadlock.
Panama Steps Forward as a Leading Voice
Amid these challenges, Panama has emerged as one of the treaty’s most outspoken and respected champions. Representing the High Ambition Coalition, Panama has consistently advocated for an agreement that targets the root causes of plastic pollution – including binding reductions in production and the elimination of harmful chemicals.
Panama’s lead negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez, has played a pivotal role in shaping the negotiations and building bridges between blocs. Drawing from Panama’s own domestic reforms, which include early bans on single-use plastics and efforts to transition to a circular economy, Monterrey Gómez has positioned the country as both a principled leader and a pragmatic diplomat. His efforts have elevated Panama as a voice for environmental justice and a key player representing the interests of vulnerable and coastal nations disproportionately affected by plastic pollution.
Pressure Builds
In the opening days of the Geneva session, the urgency is palpable. Scientists warn that delays could prove disastrous. Marine pollution expert Richard Thompson estimates the global cost of plastic pollution to health and the environment now exceeds $1.5 trillion annually. Microplastics have been detected in fish, rainwater, and human organs, raising alarm across scientific and public health communities.
“The scientific consensus is clear: plastic pollution is out of control,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme. “This treaty must not be a half-measure. It must deliver systemic change.”
Outside the negotiation halls, environmental groups, Indigenous leaders, and youth activists have gathered to demand bold action. A coalition of scientists presented negotiators with a dossier summarizing the health impacts of plastic exposure, underscoring the moral imperative to act.
VIDEO – Press Conference: Opening of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5.2)
A Defining Test of Global Cooperation
The outcome of the Geneva talks will not only determine the future of global plastics governance – it will also serve as a test of multilateralism’s ability to confront transboundary crises. With the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals already under strain and public trust in international institutions eroding, failure to deliver a credible agreement could have ripple effects far beyond the realm of environmental policy.
Many low-income and small island nations are demanding that the treaty include clear financing mechanisms and technical support to ensure equitable implementation. These countries bear the brunt of the crisis yet have the fewest resources to address it.
As negotiations enter their final stretch, the world is watching. A robust Global Plastics Treaty could signal a turning point in humanity’s relationship with one of the most versatile—and most destructive – materials ever created. Anything less would be a missed opportunity with lasting consequences.
The deadline is August 14. The stakes could not be higher.
For continuing coverage of the Global Plastics Treaty and sustainable development diplomacy, visit www.sdgnews.org.
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